^^m^^*i 


i 
1 


UNIV.  Uh  UALIh.  UDiAMni,  uv^o  rkii> 


HenryWinchesterRolfe 


THE 


POETICAL  WORKS 


OF 


EDMUND   SPENSER 


THE  TEXT  CAREFULLY  REVISED  AND  ILLUSTRATED 
WITH  NOTES,  ORIGINAL  AND  SELECTED 


BY 


FRANCIS   J.    CHILD 


FIVE  VOLUMES   IN   THREE 
VOL.  I. 


BOSTON 
HOUGHTON,   OSGOOD   AND   COMPANY 

18S0 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1855,  by 

LITTLE,  BROWN  AND   COMPANY, 

m  tlie  Clerk's  Office  of  tlie  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts 


CONTENTS  OF  VOLUME  I. 

COMPRISI^fG   VOLS.    I.    AND    II. 


-♦- 


VOL.  I. 

Page 
Memoir  of  Spenseii vii 


THE   FAERIE  QUEENE. 

A  Letter  of  the  Authors 5 

Verses  addressed  to  the  Author 11 

Verses  addressed  by  the  Author  to  several  Noblemen,  &c.  18 
Book  1.     The  Legend  of  the  Knight  of  the  lied  Crosse, 

or  of  Holinesse -U 

Book  n.     Canto  L-VL     The  Legend  of  Sir  Guyon,  or 

of  Temperaunce 266 

Appekdix.    Variations  from  the  First  Edition  ....  383 


VOL.  IL 

THE  FAERIE   QUEEXE. 


Book  IL     Canto  VII.-XIL     The  Legend  of  Sir  Guyon, 

or  of  Temperaunce 3 

Book  III.     The  Legend  of  Britomartis,  or  of  Chastity    .  159 
Appendix.     Variations  from  the  First  Edition  ....  421 


PREFACE. 


These  volumes  were  at  first  intended  to  })e  little 
more  than  a  reprint  of  the  deservedly  popular  edition 
of  Spenser,  published  in  1839,  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Mr.  George  Hillard.  But  the  necessity 
of  reducing  the  annotations  to  a  more  compact  form, 
and  the  hope  of  making  some  improvements,  led  to 
alterations,  and  these,  becoming  more  extensive  as 
the  work  progressed,  were  thought  at  last  to  be  so 
considerable  as  to  constitute  it  a  new  edition.  It  will 
be  perceived,  however,  that  a  very  large  portion  of 
Mr.  Hillard's  notes  have  been  retained. 

The  kindness  of  various  friends  having  permitted 
the  use  of  old  copies  of  nearly  all  the  poems,  a 
scrupulous  revision  has  been  made  of  the  text,  which, 
though  originally  printed  with  ordinary  care,  and,  on 
the  whole,  faithfully  reproduced  by  Todd,  required 
correction  in  some  places.  The  glossary  has  been 
entirely  reconstructed,  and  pains  have  been  taken  to 
make  the  definitions  at  once  philologically  accurate 
and  conformable  with  the  actual  usage.  Tlie  Life 
of  the  Poet  prefixed  to  this  volume  is  believed  to  be 


IV  PREFACE. 

more  complete  and  more  correct  than  any  foi'mer 
biography.  In  preparing  this,  as  also  m  the  histori- 
cal illustration  of  the  poems,  important  assistance  has 
been  derived  from  an  unpretending,  but  valuable, 
work  of  Mr.  Craik,  "  Spenser,  and  his  Poetry," 
published  ten  years  ago  among  "  Knight's  Weekly 
Volumes." 

To  Upton,  a  man  of  rare  learnmg  and  sagacity,  the 
student  is  more  indebted  than  to  any  other  writer,  for 
elucidations  of  obscure  passages  in  the  Fairy  Queen, 
particularly  in  the  allegory,  and  for  curious  exposi- 
tions of  the  authors  whom  Spenser  had  read  or  has 
imitated.  Much  is  also  due  to  Warton  and  to  Jortin. 
The  plan  of  the  present  undertaking  did  not  allow  of 
a  large  use  of  the  labors  of  these  scholars.  Such 
notes  as  have  been  directly  transferred  from  English 
commentators  are  indicated  by  their  authors'  full 
names ;  those  of  the  American  editors  by  initials. 

To  those  readers  who  do  not  require  assistance, 
and  who  are  annoyed  by  margmal  notes  of  any  kind, 
it  is  sussested  that  a  slight  effort  wiU  enable  them  to 
disregard  such  superfluous  aid,  which,  never  meant  to 
be  obtrusive,  is  offered  only  to  those  who  find  a 
glance  at  the  bottom  of  the  page  less  an  interruption 
to  their  enjoyment  of  the  poet,  than  an  unresolved 
difficulty  in  the  meaning,  or  a  reference  to  the  end  of 
the  volume. 

August,  1855 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


A  NEW  impression  of  these  volumes  having,  during 
my  absence  from  the  country,  advanced  more  than 
half-way  to  completion,  I  am  prevented  for  the  pres- 
ent, from  noticing  as  they  deserve,  two  papers  which 
have  been  recently  put  forth  on  subjects  connected 
with  Spenser's  biography.  The  one  of  these  was 
contributed  by  Mr.  Keightley  to  "  Fraser's  Magazine," 
and,  contrary  to  the  custom  of  that  author,  adds  very 
little  to  what  was  previously  known.  The  other  ar- 
ticle, which  appeared  in  the  "  Atlantic  Monthly  "  for 
November,  1858,  (and  which,  therefore,  is  immediately 
accessible  to  all  who  feel  an  interest  in  the  matter,)  is 
worthy  of  special  attention.  It  discusses  two  of  the 
most  curious,  if  not  the  most  important,  questions  in 
the  life  of  Spenser  —  the  name  and  history  of  his 
youthful  mistress,  the  enigmatical  Rosalind,  and  of 
his  wife.  The  discussion  of  the  first  of  these  points 
has  hitherto  resulted  only  in  an  exposure  of  the  ex- 
treme folly  of  those  writers  who  have  attempted  it ; 
but,  unless  I  am  greatly  deceived,  the  article  now 
spoken  of  has  most  ingeniously  resolved  the  puzzle, 
and  has  satisfactorily  shown  that  Rosalind  was  Rose, 
sister  of  Saniiicl    Diiniel.  the   jioet,  —  tliat   the   rival 


Vi  ADVERTISEMENT. 

whom  she  preferred  to  Colin  Clout  was  John  Florio, 
"  the  Resolute  ;  "  and  also  that  the  wife  whom  Spen- 
ser took  in  his  raaturer  years,  was  Elizabeth  Nagle, 
a  member  of  a  family  with  which  it  was  already 
known,  that  Sylvanus  Spenser,  the  poet's  eldest  son, 
formed  a  marriage  connectioii. 

Such  changes  in  the  Notes  as  were  required  by 
these  discoveries  (for  so  I  do  not  hesitate  to  call 
them)  have  been  made  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  vol- 
umes, where  alone  changes  were  necessary. 

P.  J.  C. 

December,  1869. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 


Edmund  Spenser,  "the  poets'  poet,"  was  born 
in  London.^  From  the  seventy-fourth  of  the  "  Amo- 
retti,"  ^  we  learn  that  his  mother's  name  was  Eliza- 
beth ;  of  his  father,  not  even  so  much  as  this  is 
known.  They  had  another  child,  Sarah,  to  whom 
her  bi'other  gave  a  part  of  his  Irish  estate  as  a  mar- 
riage portion.^  A  tradition  preserved  by  Oldys, 
the  antiquary,  points  out  East  Smithfield,  near  the 
Tower,  as  the  particular  district  of  the  capital  where 
the  poet  first  saw  the  light.  Such  a  feet  might  prob- 
ably be  settled  beyond  question,  were  it  not  for  de- 
ficiencies in  the  parish  records  of  the  city  of  London ; 
and  the  same  unfortunate  circumstance  obliges  us  to 
rely  exclusively  on  a  passage  in  one  of  the  Amoretti 
in  fixing  the  year  of  his  birth.  These  Sonnets  were 
entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers  on  tlie  19th  of 
November,  1594,  together  with  an  Epithalamion  iu 
honor  of  the  author's  own  nuptials,  Avliich  are  sup- 
posed to  have  taken  place  the  same  year.  The  11th 
of  June   (O.  S.)  was  the  marriage  day ;   the  sixty- 


1  Prothalamion,  v.  128-131,  Vol.  V.  p.  311. 

2  Vol.  V.  p.  279. 

8  See  the  Appendix  to  thisiMemoir,  p.  Ixxi. 

VOL.  I.  2 


Vm  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

eighth  Sonnet  was  written  on  Easter  Sunday  ;  the 
sixty-second,  on  the  1st  of  January  ;  the  fourth,  also 
on  the  first  day  of  the  year.  We  conclude,  there- 
fore, that  the  Sonnets  from  the  fourth  to  the  sixty- 
second  were  composed  in  the  year  1593,  and  the 
sixtieth  towards  the  end  of  that  year.  This  Sonnet 
contains  the  following  lines  :  — 

"  So,  since  the  winged  god  his  planet  cleare 
Began  in  me  to  move,  one  yeare  is  spent ; 
The  which  doth  longer  unto  me  appeare, 
Then  al  those  fourty  which  my  life  out-went."  l 

If,  then,  the  poet  was   forty-one  years  old  when  he 

wrote  this  passage,  it  would  appear  that  he  was  born 

in  the  year  1552.^ 

That    Spenser's    immediate    progenitors    were   in 

humble  circumstances,   has   been    inferred   from  his 

having  been   entered  at  the  University  as   a  sizar. 

His  family   was  connected,  however,  as  he  himself 

boasts   more    than  once,  Avith   "  a  house  of  ancient 

1  Vol.  V.  p.  272. 

2  The  biographers,  basing  their  statement  solely  upon  this  Son- 
net, and  upon  the  date  of  Spenser's  marriage,  say  1553.  —  Mr. 
Peter  Cunningham  has  found  a  notice  of  an  Edmund  Spenser  who 
was  employed  in  1569  as  a  bearer  of  despatches  from  the  English 
Ambassador  in  France  to  the  Queen,  and  George  Turberville  ad- 
dressed an  epistle  from  Eussia  to  one  Spenser,  which,  though  first 
printed  in  1587,  is  said  by  Anthony  Wood  to  have  been  written  in 
1569,  and  to  the  author  of  the  Fairy  Queen.  Could  either  of  these 
Spensers  be  shown  to  be  our  poet,  questions  of  difficulty  would 
arise  with  regard  to  his  age ;  since  a  boy  of  seventeen  is  not  likely 
to  be  selected  as  the  messenger  of  an  ambassador,  or  as  a  confi- 
dential friend  by  a  man  of  forty.  But  the  mere  coincidence  ot 
names  and  the  authority  of  Anthony  Wood  are  easily  set  aside, 
when  alleged  in  objection  to  a  fact  established  on  such  evidence  as 
the  year  of  Spenser's  birth. 


MEMOIR    OP    SPENSER.  IX 

fame/'  It  was  allied  with  that  of  Sir  John  Spencer 
of  Althorpe,  whose  descendants,  justly  proud  as  they 
may  be  of  the  trophies  of  Marlborough,  are  exhorted' 
by  Gibbon  "  to  consider  the  Fairy  Queen  as  the 
brightest  jewel  in  their  coronet."  Certain  ladies  of" 
this  house,  to  whom  their  now  illustrious  kinsman, 
dedicated  some  of  his  smaller  poems,  willingly  ac- 
knowledged "  bands  of  affinity  "  ;  ^  but  the  degree  of- 
relationship  in  which  the  parties  stood  has  not  been^ 
ascertained.  Some  light  has  been  recently  thrown- 
on  the  general  subject  by  Mr.  F.  C.  Spenser  of  Hali- 
fax, Lancashire.  In  an  interesting  communication 
to  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  (August,  1842,)  he  has- 
shown  it  to  be  highly  probable,  that  the  branch  of  the- 
Spensers  from  which  the  poet  was  derived  was  that  of 
the  Le  Spensers,  subsequently  Spensers,  of  Hurst  wood,, 
near  Burnley,  in  Lancashire.  The  evidence  on  which- 
the  poet's  connections  are  assigned  to  this  locality  is,, 
principally,  the  well-known  fact  that  Spenser  had  re- 
lations in  the  North  of  England,  the  remarkable  fre- 
quency with  which  the  names  Edmund  and  Lawrence 
(the  name  of  the  poet's  second  son)  occur  for  two 
centuries  among  the  Spensers  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Burnley,  and  the  circumstance  that  the  Lancashire 
Spensers  spelt  their  name  with  an  s,  while  that  of  the 
Althoi-pe  family  was  always  spelt  with  a  c.^ 

Of  the  education  of  Spenser  it  is  simply  known 
that  he  was  admitted  at  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge, 
Rs  a  sizar,  on  the  20th  of  May,  1569  ;  that  he  pro- 


1  See  the  dedicatory  epistles,  Vol.  V.  pp.  42,  97,  171. 

2  See  Gent.  Mag.,  Aug.  1842,  pp.  138  -  143.     Craik's     Spenser 
and  his  Poetry,  I.  9-13 


X  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

ceeded  to  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  Janiiaiy, 
1573,  and  to  that  of  Master  of  Arts  in  June,  1576. 
"While  at  the  University,  he  made  the  acquaintance  of 
Gabriel  Harvey,  a  man  of  considerable  heavy  learn- 
ing, conceited,  and  irascible,  but  withal  lionest  and  kind. 
Harvey  long  rv^sided  at  Cambridge  as  Fellow,    and 
writing  in  1580  of  some  abuses  then  prevailing  there, 
he  complains  in  strong  terms  of  a  person  whom  he 
styles  his  friend's  "old  controller,"  adding,  that  "in 
other  respects   aflfiiirs  go  on   very   much  as   before, 
continual  war  being  kept  up  between  the  heads  and 
the  members."  ^     These  obscure  phrases  Todd  con- 
ceives  to  authorize  the  deduction,  "  that  some  dis- 
appointment had  occurred  in  regard  to  Spenser's  aca- 
demical views,  and  that  some  disagreement  had  taken 
place  between   him  and  the  master  or  tutor  of  the 
society " ;  a  conjecture  which   rests    on    grounds   so 
slight  as  not  to  admit  of  discussion. 

The  year  in  which  Spenser  entered  the  University 
is  perhaps  also  marked  by  his  first  appearance  before 
the  world  as  a  writer  of  verse.  Towards  the  end  of 
1569  was  published  a  work  entitled,  "A  Theatre 
wherein  be  represented  as  wel  the  miseries  and  ca- 
lamities that  follow  the  voluptuous  Worldlings,  as  also 
the  great  joyes  and  plesures  which  the  faithfull  do 

enjoy Devised  by  S.  John  van  der  Noodt." 

This  book  begins  with  six  Epigrams  which  are  sub- 
stantially the  same  as  six  of  the  Visions  of  Petrarch, 
printed  among  the  "  Complaints,"  in  1591,  as  Spen- 
.ser's  genuine  compositions   (and  there  said  to  have 

1  "  Caetera  fere  ut  olim :  Bellum  inter  capita  et  membra  condnua- 
turn."  —  Todd. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER,  xi 

been  '^  formerly  translated  "),  and  these  are  followed 
by  fifteen  translations  in  blank  verse  of  Sonnets  by 
Bellay,  eleven  of  which  appear  again  in  the  Com- 
plaints, wiih  only  such  changes  as  the  introduction  of 
rhyme  required.  The  Theatre  for  Worldlings  makes 
no  mention  of  Spenser's  having  taken  part  in  the 
work ;  on  the  contrary,  both  the  Epigrams  and  the 
Visions  are  stated  to  be  translated  from  the  Dutch 
into  English  by  Theodore  Roest.  If  this  circum- 
stance, taken  in  conjunction  with  his  unripe  age, 
should  dispose  the  reader  to  doubt  whether  he  had 
anything  to  with  either  the  earlier  or  the  later 
version  of  these  poems,  it  may  be  remarked,  on 
the  other  hand,  that  Spenser's  having  furnished 
two  new  poems  to  the  volume  shows  that  the  Cora- 
plaints  could  hardly  have  been  published  without 
his  knowledge  and  sanction  ;  that  the  Visions  in 
question  are  in  the  same  style  as  other  compositions 
which  have  never  been  denied  to  be  his ;  and  that  the 
Visions  of  Petrarch  were  rendered,  not  immediately 
from  the  Italian,  but  (as  may  be  perceived  on  com- 
parison) from  the  French  of  Marot,  who  was  a  favor- 
ite author  with  our  poet  in  his  youth. 

At  some  time  after  leaving  Cambridge,  Spenser  went 
to  reside  in  the  North  of  England,  it  may  be  with  re- 
lations in  Lancashire,  and  it  was  among  the  hills  ^  of 
this  romantic  region,  perhaps,  that  he  fell  in  love  with 
that  Rosalind  whose  ill  usage  he  bewails  in  one  d1' 
his  earliest,  and  retaliates  in  one  of  his  latest  songs.^ 


1  Such  at  least  seems  to  be  the  most  natural  interpretation  of 
the  Sixth  Eclogue  in  the  Shepherds'  Calendar. 

2  Th'  Shepherds'  Calendar  and  the  Sixth  Book  of  the  Fair) 
Qneea 


■XU  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

The  real  name  of  this  proud  young  lady  has  been 
concealed  from  us.  Aubrey  says  she  was  a  kins- 
woman of  the  wife  of  Sir  Erasmus  Diyden,  grand- 
father of  John  Dryden.*  She  is  described  by  the 
commentator  on  the  Shepherds'  Calendar  as  a  gentle- 
woman of  no  moan  house,  and  endowed  with  uncom- 
mon gifts  both  of  nature  and  manners ;  ^  and  in  the 
Fairy  Queen  (where  she  is  undoubtedly  intended  by 
Mirabel)  her  beauty  is  highly  extolled,  and  her  po- 
sition is  represented  to  be  one  of  honor  and  dignity, 
though  her  parentage  was  humble.®  From  the  North 
Spenser  was  recalled  by  Gabriel  Harvey,  who  seems 
to  have  had  an  eye  for  his  interest,  and  to  have  in- 
formed him  of  a  chance  of  preferment ;  *  and  early  in 
1579  we  find  him  residing  in  Kent,^  very  probably 
at  Penshurst,  for  before  the  end  of  the  year  he  had 
entered  into  the  service  of  the  Earl  of  Leicester. 
This  last  fact  we  derive  from  a  letter  written  by 
Spenser  to  Harvey  from  Leicester  House,  on  the 
16th  of  October,  1579.^  He  was  at  that  time  ex 
pecting  to  go  to  France  and  Italy  on  business  of  the 
Earl,  who  was,  he  says,  to  provide  principally  for  his 
maintenance,  and  in  whose  concerns  he  was  to  employ 
"  time,  body,  and  mind,"  and  the  letter  includes  a 
long  piece  of  Latin  verse  addressed  to  Harvey  by 
way  of  farewell.     With  Philip   Sidney  he  was  now 

1  Sir  Erasmus  married  Frances  Wilkes  of  Hodnel,  Warwickshire. 
An  Edmund  Spenser  is  known  to  have  been  living,  in  1569,  at 
Kingsbury,  in  the  same  county,  and  it  is  not  unplausible  that  the 
poet  may  have  made  the  acquaintance  of  RosaUnd  while  on  a 
visit  to  this  namesake. 

2  E.  K.'s  Gloss  to  V.  26,  Eel.  IV.  »  Book  VI.  vii.  28. 

4  Gloss  to  V.  18,  Eel.  VI.  Shep.  Cul.       s  Qioss  to  v.  21,  Ibid. 
6  See  the  letter,  Vol.  V.  p.  381. 


MEMOIU    OF    Sl'ENSER.  xui 

on  terras  jf  some  familiarity,  and  there  was  an  en- 
gagement between  them  to  exchange  letters  while  he 
should  be  abroad.  There  is  one  remarkable  expres- 
sion in  the  course  of  this  letter,  which,  understood 
loosely,  would  lead  us  to  believe  that  Spenser  had 
even  been  already  presented  to  the  Queen.  "  Your 
desire,"  he  says,  "  to  know  of  my  late  being  with  her 
Majesty  must  die  in  itself."  But  the  most  that  these 
words  will  really  warrant  is,  that  he  had  at  some  time 
been  employed  as  Leicester's  agent  on  confidential  busi- 
ness with  Elizabeth.  Had  the  business  not  been  of  this 
character,  there  was  no  reason  for  making  a  mystery 
of  the  circumstance,  and  that  a  formal  presentation  at 
court  is  not  intended  requires  no  argument,  for  that 
would  have  been  announced  with  something  of  the 
same  flourish  with  which  so  notable  an  event  is  cele- 
brated in  "  Colin  Clout's  come  Home  again." 

The  Shepherds'  Calendar  had  been  now  perhaps  a 
long  time  completed.  An  officious  friend,  whose  name 
still  remains  concealed  under  the  initials  E.  K.,^  had 


1  As  Spenser  is  known  to  have  been  on  intimate  terms  with  a, 
Mrs.  Kerke,  that  name  has  been  suggested  for  his  editor.  Another 
hypothesis  is  that  E.  K.  and  tlie  poet  were  the  same  person.  But 
to  say  nothing  of  the  meanness  of  a  man's  praising  himself  under 
a  disguise,  we  should  be  sorry  to  think  Spenser  capable  of  the 
pedantry  and  folly  which  the  comments  of  E.  K.  disphvy.  Those 
who  do  not  stick  at  such  an  admission  may,  however,  be  unwilling 
to  grant  that  he  did  not  understand  himself;  that  he  could  have  ex- 
plained astart, "  befall  unawares  " ;  entraikd,  "  wrought  between  " ; 
fwmaU,  "sunburnt."  E.  K.  professes,  indeed,  to  have  been  in 
Spenser's  confidence,  and  "  privy  to  his  secret  meaning  " ;  but  ho 
has  told  us  very  litti?  that  we  could  not  have  guessed  without 
his  help,  while  he  has  left  much  unexplained  that  wo  should  like 
to  know. 


XIV  MEMOIR    OF    SFEXSER. 

furnished  a  sort  of  general  introduction,  arguments 
to  each  Eclogue,  and  a  running  gloss,  in  which  he 
attempted  to  explain  wliat  he  regarded  as  the  more 
difficult  allusions  and  hard  words,  and  had  prefixed  to 
the  Avhole  a  letter  to  Gabriel  Harvey  (dated  the  lOth 
of  April,  1579),  commending  the  virgin  work  of  the 
"new  poet"  to  his  patronage  and  protection.  All  this 
he  had  done  on  his  own  responsibility,  and  without 
the  knowledge  of  Spenser,  who  had  been  "for  long 
time  far  estranged  "  ;  absent  from  London,  we  may 
suppose,  in  the  North  country  and  in  Kent.  In  ad- 
dition to  tills  poem  Spenser  had  written  several  others, 
which  were  in  circulation  among  his  friends ;  but  aU 
of  these  he  hesitated  to  publish,  for  reasons  of  modesty 
or  of  prudence  thus  stated  to  Harvey.  "  First,  I  was 
minded  for  a  while  to  have  intermitted  the  uttering  of 
my  writings,  least,  by  overmuch  cloying  their  noble 
sars,  I  should  gather  a  contempt  for  myself,  or  else 
seem  rather  for  gain  and  commodity  to  do  it,  for  some 
sweetness  that  I  have  ah-eady  tasted.  Then  also 
me  seemeth  the  work  too  base  for  his  excellent  lord- 
ship, being  made  in  honor  of  a  private  personage  un- 
known, which  of  some  illwillers  might  be  upbraided 
not  to  be  so  worthy  as  you  know  she  is  ;  or  the  mat- 
ter not  so  weighty  that  it  should  be  offered  to  so 
weighty  a  personage,  or  the  like."  The  particular 
work  here  referred  to,  in  honor  of  Rosalind,  is  very 
probably,  after  all,  only  the  Shepherds'  Calendar,  of 
which  she  might  be  regarded  as  the  heroine,  although 
she  by  no  means  constitutes  its  sole  subject,  and 
which,  though  dedicated  to  Sidney  from  the  beginning 
could  not  dispense  with  the  approbation  of  Leicestei'. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  XV 

All  scruples,  of  whatever  nature,  were  finally  over- 
come, and  the  Shepherds'  Calendar  was  given  to  the 
world  in  December,  1579.*  Both  the  author  and  his 
commentator  expected  the  book  to  be  severely  handled,, 
probably  on  account  of  the  strong  Puritanic  or  Low 
Church  sentiments  of  two  of  the  Eclogues,  and  this  may 
be  the  reason  why  it  was  published  anonymously.  It 
went  through  five  editions  in  seventeen  years,  but  the 
name  of  the  author  seems  for  some  time  not  to  have 
become  generally  known.  One  John  Dove,  who 
translated  it  into  Latin  verse  between  1584  and  1596, 
had  evidently  never  heard  of  Spenser,  and  George 
Whetstone  ascribed  it,  eight  years  after  it  appeared, 
to  Philip  Sidney.  The  merits  of  the  work  were  pe- 
culiar and  great,  but  not  such  as  we  are  likely  to  ap- 
preciate at  this  distance  of  time.  If  it  suffers  by  a 
contrast  with  what  Spenser  and  others  effected  after- 
wards, it  appears  to  advantage  side  by  side  with  any 
poetical  composition  that  had  preceded  it  for  a  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years.  The  author,  while  deprecating 
a  comparison  with  Chaucer  and  Piers  Plouhman,'" 
plainly  aspires  to  be  considered  of  their  school,  and 
not  of  the  cold,  forced,  and  affected  versifiers  that  in- 
tervened between  them  and  his  day.  And  if  his 
earhest  production  be  not  entirely  free  from  the  faults 
of  his  predecessors  and  contemporaries,  —  if  it  be 
chargeable  with  artificial  sentiments,  with  extrava- 
gance, with  the  poor  conceit  of  alliteration,  with  a 
want  of  originahty,  sincerity,  and  force,  —  it  has  still 


1  It  was  entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers  on  the  6th  of  De- 
cember. 

a  "  Dare  not  to  match  thy  pype  with  Tityrus  his  stile, 

Nor  with  the  Pilgrim  that  the  ploughman  piayd  a  while." 


SVl  MEMOIR   OF    SPENSER. 

much  of  the  free  movement,  the  essential  music,  the 
richness,  life,  and  si^irit  of  genuine  poetxy. 

It  will  be  convenient  to  notice  in  this  place  several 
early  compositions  of  Spenser,  which  have  either  been 
entirely  lost,  or,  if  preserved  at  all,  have  come  down 
to  us  incorporated  in  his  later  poems.    These  are,  — 

1.  His  Dreams.  A  work  described  in  a  letter  to 
Harvey  of  the  10th  of  April,^  1580,  as  fully  finished 
and  presently  to  be  imprinted,  and  in  a  postscript 
further  said  to  be  gi-o\vn  as  great  as  the  Calendar  by 
means  of  a  gloss,  or  running  paraphrase,  which  E.  K. 
had  written  to  it.  Of  this  production  Harvey  speaks 
thus  in  reply  to  the  letter  of  Spenser  just  mentioned : 
"  Extra  jocum,  I  like  your  Dreams  passingly  weU ; 
and  the  rather  because  they  savor  of  that  singular  ex- 
traordinaiy  vein  and  invention  which  I  ever  fancied 
most,  and  in  a  manner  admired  only  in  Lucian, 
Petrarch,  Aretine,  Pasquil,  and  all  the  most  delicate 
and  fine-conceited  Grecians  and  Italians  (for  the 
Romans  to  speak  of  are  but  very  ciphers  in  this  kind)  ; 
whose  chiefest  endeavor  and  drift  was,  to  have  nothing 
vulgar,  but  in  some  respect  or  other,  and  especially 
in  lively  hyperbolical  amplifications,  rare,  quaint,  and 
odd  in  every  point,  and,  as  a  man  would  say,  a  degree 
or  two  at  the  least  above  the  reach  and  compass  of  a 
common  scholar's  capacity."  And  he  afterwards  pro- 
ceeds :  "  I  dare  say  you  will  hold  yourself  reasonably 
well  satisfied,  if  your  Dreams  be  but  as  well  esteemed 

1  The  date  is  printed  "  quarto  Nonas  Aprilis,"  but  Nonas  must 
be  a  mistake  for  Idus,  since  the  earthquake  of  the  6th  of  April  is 
mentioned  at  the  beginning  of  the  letter.  Harvey's  reply,  care- 
lessly stated  by  Todd  and  others  to  be  witliout  date,  was  written 
oa  tlie  23d  of  April,  nono  Calendas  Maiae. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  ,  XVU 

of  in  England  as  Petrarch's  Visions  be  in  Italy; 
which,  I  assure  you,  is  the  very  worst  I  wish  you."  ^ 
From  what  is  said  by  both  parties,  we  may  infer  that 
the  Dreams  -was  of  a  similar  character  to  Petrarch's 
Visions,  but  a  comparatively  extensive  work,  and  by 
no  means  only  the  seven  Sonnets  printed  under  that 
title  among  the  Complaints. 

2.  Nine  Comedies.  These  are  mentioned  in  two 
letters  of  Harvey,  in  one  of  them  in  such  terms  as  to 
show  beyond  doubt  that  they  were  dramatic  composi- 
tions :  "  To  be  plain,  I  am  void  of  all  judgment  if 
your  Nine  Comedies,  whereunto,  in  imitation  of  He- 
rodotus, you  give  the  names  of  the  Nine  Muses 
(and  in  one  man's  fancy  not  unworthily)  come  not 
nearer  Ariosto's  comedies,  either  for  the  fineness  of 
plausible  elocution,  or  the  rareness  of  poetical  inven- 
tion, than  that  Elvish  Queen  doth  to  his  Orlando 
Furioso,  which  notwithstanding  you  will  needs  seem  to 
emulate  and  hope  to  overgo,  as  you  flatly  professed 
yourself  in  one  of  your  last  letters.  Besides  that 
you  know  it  hath  been  the  usual  practice  of  the  most 
exquisite  and  odd  wits  in  all  nations,  and  specially 
in  Italy,  rather  to  show  and  advance  themselves  that 
way  than  any  other  ;  as,  namely,  those  three  notorious 
discoursing  heads,  Bibiena,  Machiavel,  and  Aretine 
did  (to  let  Bembo  and  Ariosto  pass),  with  the  great 
admiration  and  wonderment  of  the  whole  countxy ; 
being  indeed  reputed  matchable  in  all  points,  both 
for  conceit  of  wit  and  eloquent  deciphering  of  matters, 
either  with  Ai-istophanes  and  Menander  in  Greek,  or 

1  See  the  Correspondence,  Appendix  II.,  Vol.  V. 


XVIU  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

with  Plautus  and  Terence  in  Latin,  or  with  any  other 
in  any  other  tongue." 

3.  Dying  Pelican.  This,  as  well  as  the  Dreams, 
was  completed  and  ready  to  be  printed  in  1580. 

4.  Slumber.  Mentioned  in  Spenser's  first  letter  to 
Harvey  (October,  lo79),  and  probably  the  same  as 
A  Senights  Slomber,  instanced  by  Ponsonby  in  his 
advertisement  to  the  Complaints  as  one  of  sundry 
poems  understood  to  be  written  by  Spenser,  which 
he  was  desirous  to  print,  but  could  not  obtain. 

5.  Epithalamion  Thamesis.  A  work  written  in 
vei'se  imitating  the  ancient  quantitative  metre,  with- 
out rhyme,  and  thus  described  in  Spenser's  second 
letter  to  Harvey :  "  Trust  me,  you  will  hard>y  be- 
lieve what  great  good  liking  and  estimation  Master 
Dyer  had  of  your  Satirical  Verses,  and  I,  since  the 
view  thereof,  having  before  of  myself  had  special 
liking  of  English  Versifying,  am  even  now  about  to 
give  you  some  token  what  and  how  well  therein  I 
am  able  to  do ;  for  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  mind  shor^ 
ly  at  convenient  leisure  to  set  forth  a  book  in  this 
kind,  which  I  entitle  Epithalamion  Thamesis,  which 
book  I  dare  undertake  will  be  very  profitable  for  the 
knowledge,  and  rare  for  the  invention  and  manner  of 
handling.  For  in  setting  forth  the  marriage  of  the 
Thames,  I  show  his  first  beginning  and  offspring,  and 
all  the  country  that  he  passeth  through,  and  also  de- 
scribe all  the  rivers  throughout  England  Avhich  came 
to  this  Avedding,  and  their  right  names  and  right  pas- 
sage." This  poem  has  either  perished,  or,  w^hat  is 
more  likely,  was  suppressed  by  the  author ;  but  the 
marriage  of  the  Thames  and  the  Med  way  is  made 


MEMOIR    OF    SPEKSER.  xix 

the  subject  of  a  pleasing  episode  in  the  Eleventh 
Canto  of  the  Fourth  Book  of  the  Fairy  Queen. 

6.  Stemynata  Dudleiana.  A  Latin  work,  whether 
in  prose  or  verse  is  not  known,  celebrating  the  an- 
cestry and  family  of  the  Earl  of  Leicester.  Of  this 
Spenser  says  in  a  postscript  to  his  second  letter: 
"  Of  my  Stemmata  Dudleiana,  and  especially  of  the 
sundry  apostrophes  therein,  addressed  you  know  to 
whom,  must  more  advisement  be  had  than  so  lightly 
to  send  them  abroad  ;  howbeit,  trust  me,  (though  I  do 
never  very  well,)  yet  in  my  own  fancy  I  never  did 
better." 

7.  Court  of  Cupid ;  Legends  ;  Pageants.  Tlie  two 
first  are  mentioned  by  E.  K.  in  the  Epistle  he  pre- 
fixed to  the  Shepherds'  Calendar,  as  excellent  works 
which  sleep  in  silence  and  are  known  to  few ;  the 
last,  in  a  note  on  the  twenty-fifth  verse  of  the  Sixth 
Eclogue,  where  a  Une  of  the  poem  is  quoted : 

"  An  hundred  Graces  on  her  eyelids  sat." 

It  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  the  substance 
of  all  these  pieces  may  have  been  embodied  in  the 
Fairy  Queen.  The  Court  of  Cupid  was  perhaps 
the  early  form  of  the  Masque  of  Cupid  in  the 
Twelfth  Canto  of  the  Third  Book,  while  the  line 
quoted  by  E.  K.  from  the  Pageants  closely  resembles 
one  in  the  description  of  Belphoebe : 

"  Upon  her  eyelids  many  Graces  sate." 

Fairy  Queen,  Book  II.  Canto  III.  26. 

8.  Moschus's  IdyUion  of  Wandering  Love.  This 
!s  said  by  E.  K.,  in  a  gloss  on  the  Third  Eclogue  of 
the  Shepherds'  Calendar,  to  have  been  very  well 
translated  by  Spenser  into  English  rhymes. 


XX  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

9.  The  English  Poet.  Probably  a  treatise  in  prose 
on  the  nature  and  art  of  poetry.  It  is  noticed  by 
E.  K.  in  his  argument  to  the  Tenth  Eclogue  of  the 
Shepherds'  Calendar,  and  appears  to  be  alluded  to  by 
Harvey  in  his  third  letter  to  Spenser.^ 

10.  Sonnets.  Two  lines  are  quoted  from  one  of 
these  in  the  gloss  to  the  ninetieth  verse  of  the 
Tenth  Eclogue  of  the  Shepherds'  Calendar, — 

"  The  silver  swan  doth  sing  upon  her  dying  day, 
As  she  that  feeles  the  deepe  delight  that  is  in  death." 

Another  is  known  to  have  been  written  by  Spenser 
upon  Harvey's  "  Satyrical  Verses."  ^ 

11.  Ecclesiastes  and  Canticum  Canticorum,  trans- 
lated ;  The  Hell  of  Lovers,  his  Purgatory ;  The 
Hours  of  the  Lord  ;  The  Sacrifice  of  a  Sinner  ;  The 
Seven  Psalms.  AU  these  are  mentioned  by  Ponsonby 
in  his  advertisement  to  the  Complaints,  together  with 
A  SennigMs  Slumber  and  The  Dying  Pelican,  as 
compositions  ascribed  to  Spenser,  but  no  one  of  them 
is  known  to  be  preserved  in  any  form. 

The  correspondence  between  Spenser  and  Harvey, 
already  several  times  alluded  to,  consists  of  five  let- 
ters, two  by  Spenser  and  three  by  Harvey,  written  in 
October,  1579,  and  April,  1580.  One  of  Harvey's 
letters  is  mostly  devoted  to  a  description  of  an  earth- 
quake, but  the  principal  subject  of  the  rest  of  the  cor- 
respondence is  a  project  for  reforming  English  ver- 
Bification,  which  seems  to  have  originated  with  Harvey 

1  "  What !    Is  Horace's  Ars  Poetica  so  quite  out  of  our  English 
poet's  head,"  &c. 
'  See  Todd's  Life  of  Spenser,  p.  xxxvi.  note. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  XXI 

and  to  have  been  taken  up  with  zeal  by  a  coterie  over 
which  Sidney  and  Dyer  presided.  They  proclaimed, 
we  are  told,  "  by  the  authority  of  their  senate,  a  gen- 
eral surceasing  of  rhyme,  instead  whereof  they  pre- 
scribed certain  rules  of  quantity " ;  in  otlier  words, 
they  ordained  that  thenceforth  English  verse  should 
be  made  to  conform  to  what  they  conceived  to  be  the 
laws  of  ancient  prosody.  Spenser  suffered  himself 
to  be  drawn  into  this  foolish  scheme,  and  for  a  year 
worked  away  at  hexameters  and  iambic  trimeters 
quite  seriously.  He  even,  as  we  have  seen,  wrote  a 
poem  of  some  length  (the  Epithalamion  Thamesis),  in 
classic  metre.  But  good  sense  soon  resumed  its  sway 
over  his  mind ;  he  never  pubhshed  this  poem,  and 
only  a  few  scraps  remain  to  testify  his  ill  success  in 
what  he  called  English  Versifying.* 

Before  quitting  these  letters,  we  must  notice  two 
curious  passages  which,  very  strangely,  have  received 
no  attention,  although  they  throw  a  Ught  on  the  his- 
tory of  Spenser's  affections.  Some  time  before  1579 
the  poet  became  enamored  of  the  fair  Eosalind,  who 
at  first  encouraged  his  addresses,  but  afterwards 
slighted  him  in  favor  of  an  unknown  rival.^  It  has 
generally  been  supposed  that  he  continued  to  cherish 
through  many  years  an  ardent,  though  hopeless,  pas- 
sion for  this  lady,  and  in  «  CoHn  Clout 's  come  Home 
again"  (written,  at  the  earliest,  not  before  1591)  he 
certainly  professes  a  constancy  unshaken  by  despair, 
while  he  generously  attributes  the  blame  of  his  dis- 


1  See  a  specimen  of  "  Iambic  Trimeter  "  in  Vol.  V.  p.  388. 
3  See  the  Sixth  Eclogue  of  tlie  Sliepherds'  Calendar. 


XXU  MEMOUi    OF    Sl'ENSER. 

appointment  less  to  her  pride  than  to  his  own  pre- 
sumption in  looking  so  high.  Nevertheless,  in  his 
letter  of  April  10,  1580,  Spenser  writes  to  Harvey 
that  "  his  sweetheart  sends  many  sincere  commenda- 
tions, and  wonders  that  no  answer  has  been  returned  to 
her  letter."  ^  To  this  message  the  obdurate  bachelor, 
who  had  threatened  the  year  before  never  to  cease 
railing  at  Spenser  until  he  had  cui-ed  him  of  the  sen- 
timental mood,  replies,  that  her  letter  shall  be  attended 
to  as  soon  as  possible,  and  protests  that  "  she  is  a 
second  Rosalind."  ^  From  all  this  it  would  appear 
that  the  lover  soon  found  a  consolation  for  the  disap- 
pointment he  had  met  with ;  and  that  some  of  his 
biographers  have  wasted  their  sympathy. 

We  have  seen  that  in  October,  1579,  Spenser  was 
expecting  to  be  sent  to  the  Continent,  there  to  reside 
some  time  as  an  agent  of  his  patron,  the  Earl  of  Lei- 
cester. He  looked  forward  to  this  mission  with  no 
pleasui'e,  but  it  was  better,  he  thought,  than  wasting 
the  flower  of  his  youth  in  petty  employments  at 
home.'     It  is  probable,  however,  that  he  never  went 

1  "  Sed,  amabo  te,  meum  Corculwn  tibi  se  ex  animo  commeiidat 

plurimum,  jam  diu  mirata  te  nihil  ad  literas  suas  respoiisi  deJisse, 

Vide,  qureso,  ne  id  tibi  capitale  sit;  mihi  certe  quidem  erit,  neque 

tibi  hercle  impune,  ut  opinor." 

*  ■'  Sed,  amabo  te,  ad  Corculi  tui  delicatissimas  literas  propediem 

UTiam  potero  accuratissime  [respondebo.] Quid  quaerisV 

Per  tuam  Venerem,  altera  Rosalirulula  est;  eamque  non  alter,  sed 
idem  ille  (tua,  ut  ante,  bona  cum  gratia)  copiose  amat  Hobbinolus, 
0  mea  Domina  Immerito,  znea.  bellissiiua  Collina  Clouta,  multc 
>lus  plurimum  salve  atque  valei  " 

3  "  Namque  sinu  pudet  in  patrio  tenebrisque  pudendis, 
Non  nimis  ingenio  juvenem  infelice  virentes 
Officiis  frustra  deperdere  vilibus  annos." 

Vol.  V.  p.  357. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  xjfiii 

on  this  service,  for,  in  a  letter  written  six  months  af- 
terwards, he  makes  no  allusion  to  his  having  been  out 
of  the  country  in  the  interim.  "We  may  suppose, 
therefore,  that  his  relations  to  Leicester,  whatever 
was  their  nature,  remained  unchanged  until  August, 
1580,  at  which  time  he  received  the  appointment  of 
secretary  to  Lord  Grey  of  Wilton,  then  deputed  to 
the  government  of  Ireland.  On  the  2  2d  of  INLarch 
following  he  obtained  the  perhaps  additional  office  of 
Clerk  of  the  Decrees  and  Recognizances  in  the  L'ish 
Court  of  Chancery,^  and  in  the  same  year  the  Queen 
granted  him  "  a  lease  of  the  Abbey  of  Iniscorthy  or 
Enniscorthy,  and  the  attached  castle  and  manor  in  the 
county  of  Wexford,  at  an  annual  rent  of  300Z.  6s.  4c?., 
with  the  condition  that  he  should  keep  it  in  continual 
repair " ;  ^  which  property  he  conveyed,  by  an  in- 
denture dated  the  9th  of  December,  1581,  to  Richard 
Synot.  Lord  Grey  was  recalled  in  1582,  and  "with 
him,"  says  Todd,  ''  Spenser  probably  returned  to 
England."  But  this  is  an  arbitrary  assumption,  all 
the  little  evidence  we  have  upon  the  subject  tending  to 
show  that  he  remained  in  Ireland.  He  certainly  re- 
tained his  office  in  the  Court  of  Chancery  until  June, 
1588,^  when  he  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Council 

1  Hardiman's  Irish  Minstrelsy,  I.  320. 

2  Cited  from  Collins's  Peerage  (Vol.  IV.  p.  310),  by  Mr.  Craik. 
«  Hardiman's  Irisli  Minstrelsj',  I.  320.    It  is  to  be  observed  that 

another  Spenser,  mentioned  in  a  letter  of  Sir  William  I'elham, 
Lord  Justice  of  Ireland,  was  employed  in  a  confidential  capacity 
under  the  Irish  administration.  This  letter  is  dated  July  14, 1580, 
and  the  person  spoken  of  is  said  to  be  growing  into  years.  One 
Master  Spenser  was  also  intrusted  with  a  letter  from  James  VI.  to 
Queen  Elizabeth,  in  July,  1583.    The  conjecture  would  not  be 

-"OL   I.  3 


XXIV  MEMOIR    OF   SPENSER. 

of  Munster.  Again,  in  Lodowick  Bryskett's  "  Dis- 
course of  Civil  Life,"  dedicated  to  Lord  Grey,  a 
party  of  gentlemen  is  described  as  having  assembled 
in  the  author's  cottage  near  Dublin,  among  whom 
was  "  Mr.  Edmund  Spenser,  your  lordship's  late  sec- 
I'etary,"  and  Dr.  Long,  Primate  of  Armagh.  Dr. 
Long  was  raised  to  the  primacy  in  1584,  and  lie 
died  in  1589,  so  that  this  meeting  must  have  taken 
place  between  those  two  dates.  Lastly,  we  know 
positively  that  Spenser  was  in  Dublin  on  the  18th  of 
July,  1586,  from  his  having  then  addressed  a  son- 
net to  Gabriel  Harvey  from  that  place.^ 

The  whole  province  of  Munster  having  been  de- 
populated in  consequence  of  the  severe  measures 
taken  under  Lord  Grey  to  suppress  the  rebellion  of 
the  Desmonds,  the  Queen  was  desirous  of  repeopling 
the  ceuntry  with  English  families.  Accordingly  the 
large  territories  of  the  Earl  of  Desmond  were  di- 
vided into  seigniories  among  a  number  of  gentlemen 
undertakers,  as  they  were  termed ;  persons  who  bound 
themselves  to  cultivate  and  improve  the  estates  thus 
granted  them.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  received  for  his 
share  42,000  acres  in  the  counties  of  Cork  and  Water- 
ford  ;  Spenser,  3,028  acres  in  the  county  of  Cork. 
The  date  of  his  grant  is  said  to  be  June  27th,  1586,- 

al together  unplausible  that  this  latter  (and  perhaps  the  former  as 
well)  was  the  same  Spenser  that  was  charged  with  despatches  to 
the  Queen  from  the  English  Ambassador  in  Paris,  in  1569.  There 
is  no  reason  at  all  for  identifying  any  of  these  with  the  poet. 

1  See  Vol.  V.  p.  374. 

2  Birch  cited  by  Todd,  Life,  p.  xlix.  This  is  the  date  of  the 
Queen's  articles  for  the  plantation  of  Munster,  an  abstract  oi 
»\-bich  is  given  in  Smith's  History  of  Cork,  I.  60  -  63.     Mr.  Har 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  XXV 

and  we  may  believe  that  so  poor  a  man  entered  into 
possession  immediately. 

In  the  summer^  (or  perhaps  the  autumn)  of  1589, 
Spenser  received  at  Kilcolman  a  visit  from  Sir  Wal- 
ter Raleigh,  who,  being  then  out  of  favor  with  ilie 
Queen,  may  have  thought  the  opportunity  a  good 
one  for  attending  to  his  Irish  estates.  Spenser  had, 
it  is  believed,  acquired  Raleigh's  friendship  while  the 
one  was  secretary,  and  the  other  a  captain  in  the 
army,  under  Lord  Grey,  and,  since  the  lamented  death 
of  Sidney,^  there  was  no  man  at  court  on  whose  gen- 
erous patronage  the  poet  could  with  such  confidence 
rely.  To  Raleigh,  then,  himself  a  poet  and  the  most 
accomplished  of  knights,  Spenser  determined  to  sub- 
mit the  three  books  which  he  had  now  finished  of 


diman  (Irish  Ministrelsy,  I.  320)  says:  "  On  the  plantation  of  that 
province,  Queen  Elizabeth,  by  letters  patent,  dated  26th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1591,  granted  him  the  manor  and  castle  of  Kylcolman,  with 
other  lands,  containing  3,028  acres,  in  the  baron  of  Ferraoy,  coun 
ty  of  Cork,  also  chief  rents,  '  forfeited  by  the  late  lord  of  Thet- 
more,  and  the  late  traitor.  Sir  John  of  Desmond.'  Orig.  Fiant, 
Rolls  Office,  Dublin."  Sir  William  Betham,  in  his  pedigree  of 
Spenser  (Gentleman's  Magazine,  Aug.  1842,  p.  140),  says  he  '•  had 
a  grant  of  Kilcolman,  and  other  lands,  by  patent  dated  26th  of 
October,  1591  (3,028  acres  English,  held  by  common  socage)." 
This  last  account  may  be  taken  from  the  former.  There  is  either 
some  mistake  about  this  second  date,  or,  which  is  more  probable, 
a  new  patent  was  issued  m  1591,  confirming  or  extending  the  priv- 
ileges granted  by  that  of  1586. 

1  Sir  Walter  returned  from  the  Portugal  expedition  towards 
the  end  of  June,  1589,  and  on  the  17th  of  August  following  Cap- 
tain Francis  Allen  writes  to  Antony  Bacon,  Esq,  that  "  my  lord  of 
Essex  hath  chased  Mr.  Raleigh  from  the  court  and  confined  him 
Into  Ireland."     (See  Todd's  Life  of  Spenser,  p.  lii.) 

2  It  occurred  in  October,  1586. -Sidney  appears  to  have  en- 


XXVI  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

his  great  chivalrous  tale  ;  and  never  was  author 
more  fortunate  in  his  choice  of  a  judge.  Ten  years 
before  this  he  had  communicated  to  Harvey  some 
portion  of  an  heroic  poem  which  he  called  the  Fairy 
Queen,  and  solicited  his  opinion.  The  reply  of  this 
learned  Theban  was  not  favorable.^  "  In  good  faith," 
says  he,  "  I  had  once  again  nigh  forgotten  your 
Fairy  Queen  ;  hovvbeit,  by  good  chance,  I  have  now 
sent  her  home  at  the  last,  neither  in  better  nor  worse 
case  than  I  found  her.  And  must  you  of  necessity 
have  my  judgment  of  her  indeed  ?  To  be  plain,  I 
am  void  of  all  judgment,  if  your  Nine  Comedies, 
whereunto,  in  imitation  of  Herodotus,  you  give  the 
names  of  the  Nine  Muses,  (and  in  one  man's  fancy 
not  unworthily,)  come  not  nearer  Ariosto's  Comedies, 
either  for  the  fineness  of  plausible  elocution,  or  the 
rareness  of  poetical  invention,  than  that  Elvish  Queen 
doth  to  his  Orlando  Furioso ;  which,  notwithstanding, 
you  will  needs  seem  to  emulate,  and  hope  to  overgo, 
as  you  flatly  professed  yourself  in  one  of  your  last 

letters But  I  will  not  stand  greatly  with  you 

in  your  own  matters.  If  so  be  the  Fairy  Queen  be 
fairer  in  your  eye  than  the  Nine  Muses,  and  Hob- 

couraged  Spenser  to  undertake  a  poem  in  honor  of  Elizabeth,  ii 
he  did  not  even  suggest  the  theme.  See  the  verses  by  W.  L.,post, 
p.  15:  — 

"  And  as  Ulysses  brought  faire  Thetis  sonne 
From  his  retyred  life  to  menage  armes, 
So  Spencer  was,  by  Sidneys  speaches,  vfonne 
To  blaze  Her  fame,  not  fearing  future  harmes.*' 

1  Tojudgebythe  faint  praise  bestowed  in  his  complimentary 
verses  {post,  p.  13),  Harvey  never  heartily  liked  the  Fairy  Queen, 
He  evidently  preferred  the  bnepherds'  Calendar. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  XXvH 

goblin  run  away  with  the  garland  from  Apollo,  mark 
what  I  say, — and  yet  I  will  not  say  that  I  thought — 
but  there  an  end  for  this  once,  and  fare  you  well  till 
God  or  some  good  angel  put  you  in  a  better  mind." 
Such  was  not  the  judgment  of  Raleigh.  Enchanted 
with  this  adventurous  song,  he  would  not  allow  the 
poet  to  remain  any  longer  buried  in  the  obscurity  of 
an  Irish  wilderness.  He  was  ambitious  of  present- 
ing a  man  of  such  extraordinary  merit  to  the  Queen, 
and  prevailed  on  Spenser  to  accompany  him  to  Eng- 
land with  that  object.* 

How  much  of  the  Fairy  Queen  was  written  before 
1580,  it  is  impossible  to  say.^  It  was  undoubtedly,  in 
the  main,  as  the  author  says,  "  the  fruit  of  savage 
soil,"  ^  the  product  of  a  long  and  industrious  seclusion 
m  Ireland.  After  having  kept  them  by  him  full  nine 
years,  Spenser  committed  the  first  three  books  to 
the  press.  The  volume  which  contained  them  was 
entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers  on  the  1st  of  De- 
cember, 1589,  and  was  pubhshed  in  1590.  Annexed 
to  this  volume  was  the  well-known  letter  to  Sir  Wal- 
ter Raleigh,  in  which  the  plan  of  the  whole  poem 
is  distinctly  set  forth.  It  was  to  portray  in  the  per- 
son of  Prince  Arthur,  before  he  became  king,  the 
image  of  a  brave  knight  perfected  in  the  twelve 
private  Moral  Virtues.     This  was  to  be  accomplished 


1  See  Colin  Clout 's  come  Home  again,  v.  178-193. 

2  "  Lately  at  the  College,  taking  down  the  wainscot  of  his  cham- 
ber, they  found  an  abundance  of  cards  with  stanzas  of  the  Fairy 
Queen  written  on  them."  —  Aubrey,  on  the  authority  of  Dryden. 

8 'See  the  Sonnets  to  the  Earl  of  Ormond  and  to  Lord  Grey, 
qp.  22,  24. 


XXVlll  MEMOIR    OP    SPENSER. 

in  twelve  books,  and  then,  if  the  undertaking.;  proved 
successful,  another  poem  was  projected  which  should 
exhibit  the  Political  Virtues  in  the  same  hero,  after 
he  came  to  be  king.  Only  one  half  of  the  first  part 
of  this  vast  design  was  completed. 

"We  may  presume  that  Raleigh  lost  no  time  in 
bringing  Spenser  under  the  notice  of  his  royal  mis- 
tress. He  was  graciously  received,  and  allowed  at 
various  times  to  read  portions  of  his  poem  to  the 
Queen ;  ^  and  to  her  also  it  was  dedicated  upon  its 
publication.  By  Raleigh  he  had  been  led  to  expect 
that  her  Majesty's  bounty  would  be  exerted  in  his 
behalf,  and  we  may  infer  from  several  passages  in 
Colin  Clout 's  come  Home  again,  that,  in  case  of  his 
meeting  with  sufficient  encouragement,  he  was  in- 
clined to  take  up  his  residence  in  England.  But  the 
road  to  court  favor  was  found  to  be  neither  smooth 
nor  short,  and  the  impatient  poet  was  destined  "  in 
suing  long  to  bide."  Spenser's  patrons  belonged  to 
a  party  hostile  to  Burleigh,  and  in  the  Shepherds' 
Calendar  he  had  spoken  in  terms  distasteful  to  his 
lordship  of  the  sequestration  of  Archbishop  Grindal : 
these  circumstances,  together  with  the  Treasurer's 
general  contempt  for  "  ballad-makers,"  proved  a  seri- 
ous obstacle  to  his  obtaining  even  that  benefaction 
which  Ehzabeth  was  willing  to  grant.  He  had  his 
"  Prince's  grace,  but  lacked  her  Peer's."  ^  Such  at 
least  was  the  poet's  and  the  common  opinion,  and 

1  Colin  Clout,  V.  362. 

2  The  tradition  that  the  Queen's  liberality  was  obstructed  by 
Lord  Burleigh  (preserved  in  Fuller's  Worthies,  and  rejected  -by 
Todd  as  wanting  sufficient  authority)  is  confirmed  by  an  entrv 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  XXIX 

though  Spenser  afterwards  denied  *  that  he  had  ever 
intended  to  reflect  on  this  powerful  minister  in  any 
of  his  writings,  it  is  impossible  to  understand  the  in- 
dignant verses,  so  often  quoted,  in  the  Ruins  of  Time 
and  Mother  Hubberd's  Tale,  in  any  other  sense. 
Still,  whatever  opposition  may  have  been  offered  to 
his  interests  was  at  last  withdrawn,  and  a  pension  of 
fifty  pounds  a  year  was  conferred  upon  him  in  Feb- 

in  Manningham's  nearly  contemporaneous  Diary,  extracted  by 
Mi\  Collier  in  his  Life  of  Siiakespeare,  p.  cxxv. 

"  May  4,  1602.  When  her  Majesty  had  given  order  that  Spenser 
Bhould  have  a  reward  for  his  poems,  but  Spenser  could  have 
nothing,  he  presented  her  with  these  verses  : 

•  It  pleased  your  Grace  upon  a  time, 
To  grant  me  reason  for  my  rhyme ; 
But  from  that  time  until  this  season, 
I  heard  of  neither  rhyme  nor  reason.'  " 

The  account  in  Fuller  runs  thus :  — 

"  There  passeth  a  story  commonly  told  and  believed,  that  Spen- 
ser, presenting  his  poems  to  Queen  Elizabeth,  she,  highly  affected 
therewith,  commanded  the  Lord  Cecil,  her  Treasurer,  to  give  him 
a  hundred  pounds;  and  when  the  Treasurer  (a  good  steward  of 
the  Queen's  money)  alleged  that  sum  was  too  much,  '  Then 
give  him,'  quoth  the  Queen,  'what  is  reason':  to  which  the  lord 
consented,  but  was  so  busied,  belike,  about  matters  of  high  con- 
cernment, that  Spenser  received  no  reward.  Whereupon  he  pro. 
sented  this  petition  in  a  small  piece  of  paper  to  the  Queen  in  her 
progress : — 

•  I  was  promised  on  a  time. 
To  have  reason  for  my  rhyme; 
From  that  time  unto  this  season, 
I  received  nor  rhyme  nor  reason.' 
Hereupon  the  Queen  gave  straight  order  (not  without  some  check 
to  her  Treasurer)  for  the  present  payment  of  the  hundred  pounds 
fche  first  intended  unto  him."  — Fuller's  Worthies,  by  Nuttall,  IL 
879. 

1  In  the  Sixth  Book  of  the  Faiiy  Queen,  Canto  XII.  41. 


XXX  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

ruary,  1591 :  from  which  time  it  is  thought  that  he 
should  be  considered  as  filling  the  office  of  Poet- 
Laureate,  though  he  is  not  named  by  the  title  in  his 
patent.^ 

We  are  unable  to  determine  with  exactness  the 
dui'ation  of  Spenser's  visit  to  England.  He  came 
over  in  the  autumn  of  1589,  The  dedication  of 
Daphnaida  is  dated  from  London,  the  1st  of  January, 
1591  ;  2  that  of  Colin  Clout 's  come  Home  again,  from 
Kilcolman,  the  27th  of  December,  1591.  It  is  prob- 
able, moreover,  that  he  was  in  the  country  when  he 
received  his  pension  from  the  Queen,  in  February  of 
the  same  year.*  He  would  seem,  therefore,  to  have 
passed  at  least  a  year  and  a  half  at  court.  The 
miseries  which  he  endured  in  his  pursuit  of  the  favor 
of  the  great,  he  has  described  in  his  Mother  Hub- 

1  Todd's  Life  of  Spenser,  p.  Ixvi. 

2  According  to  the  custom  of  dating  then  prevalent,  this  would 
be  understood  to  mean  January  1,  1592;  but  if  Spenser  was  in 
London  then,  he  could  not  have  been  in  teland  five  days  before. 
Malone  and  Todd,  to  be  sure,  consider  the  date  of  the  dedication 
of  Colin  Clout 's  come  Home  again  to  be  wrongly  printed,  and 
would  change  1591  to  1594  or  1595;  their  reasons,  however,  are 
not  satisfactory.  In  the  Amoretti  and  the  Shepherds'  Calendar, 
Spenser  begins  the  year  with  January,  and  we  have  only  to  sup- 
pose him  to  have  done  the  same  in  the  dedication  of  his  Daphnaida, 
to  make  all  the  facts  known  about  this  visit  consistent,  and  to 
save  him  an  unaccountable  and  unrecorded  journey  to  Ireland. 

8  It  has  already  been  noticed  {ante,  p.  xxv.)  that  Mr.  Hardiman, 
quoting  an  original  document  in  the  Rolls  Office,  Dublin,  gives 
the  26th  of  October,  1591,  as  the  date  of  the  letters  by  which 
Spenser  obtained  his  Irish  estate.  It  is,  however,  perfectly  cer- 
tain that  he  was  one  of  the  undertakers  among  whom  the  for- 
feited lands  of  the  Earl  of  Desmond  were  divided  in  1586.  Some 
additional  favors  may  have  been  granted  him  while  in  England, 
which  required  the  issue  of  a  second  patent. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  XXxi 

herd's  Tale,  with  an  intensity  of  feeling  which  nothing 

but  the  bitterest  experience  could  inspii'e :  — 

"  To  fret  thy  soule  with  crosses  and  with  cares ; 
To  eate  thy  heart  through  comfortlesse  dispaires ; 
To  fawne,  to  crowche,  to  waite,  to  ride,  to  ronne, 
To  speud,  to  give,  to  want,  to  be  undonne  — 
Unhappie  wight,  borne  to  desastrous  end, 
That  doth  his  life  in  so  long  tendance  speud! " 

But  all  this  time  was  not  so  ill  bestowed.  During 
his  residence  in  England  he  wrote  several  poems,  and 
retouched  others  for  publication.  Early  in  1591  ap- 
peared Daphnaida,  an  elegy  written  on  the  death  of 
Douglas  Howard,  wife  of  Arthur  Gorges,  a  poet  and 
scholar  to  whom  Spenser  felt  a  particular  attach- 
ment. In  the  course  of  the  same  year,  Ponsonby^ 
the  publisher  of  the  Fairy  Queen,  collected  into  a 
small  quarto  nine  shoi-t  poems,  some  of  them  written 
several  years  before,  which,  he  says,  in  his  address 
to  the  reader,  "  were  dispersed  abroad  in  sundry 
hands,  and  not  easy  to  be  come  by  by  [the  author] 
himself;  some  of  them  having  been  diversly  em- 
bezzled and  purloined  from  him  since  his  departure 
over  sea,"  —  that  is,  his  ten  years'  expatriation  in 
Ireland.  To  this  volume  the  printer  gave  the  name 
of  Complaints,  a  title  which  indicates  a  strong  ten- 
dency in  the  author's  mind,  and  which  would  not  in- 
appropriately describe  nearly  the  whole  collection  of 
his  minor  poems. 

The  first  poem  in  this  volume.  The  Ruins  of  Time, 
is  principally  devoted  to  the  commemoration  of  Spen- 
ser's earliest  patrons,  Sir  Philip  Sidney  and  the 
Earl  of  Leicester,  together  with  other  members  of 
'hat  familv.  and   mnv  in  fact  be  reffarded  a<5  a  ^ort  nf 


SXXH  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

posthumous  compensation  for  the  Stemmata  Dud- 
leiana,  which,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  never  pub- 
lished. From  the  dedication  to  the  Countess  of  Pem- 
bi'oke  we  learn  that  it  was  written  in  England,  and 
at  the  suggestion  of  some  friends  who  thought  that 
Spenser  had  not  shown  proper  gratitude  to  his  de- 
ceased benefactors.  As  Sir  Francis  Walsingham  is 
spoken  of  as  dead  in  the  course  of  the  piece,  it  could 
not  have  been  finished  before  April  6th,  1590,  when 
that  event  occurred. 

The  second  piece  in  this  volume.  The  Tears  of  the 
Muses^  if  not  remarkable  for  poetical  merits,  is  ex- 
tremely interesting,  from  the  light  it  throws  on  the 
condition  of  literature  at  the  time  when  it  was  writ- 
ten. This  must  have  been  in  1590,  while  Spenser 
was  still  fretting  at  the  insensibility  of  those  mighty 
peers  who  would  spend  nothing  in  the  patronage  of 
genius,  but  wasted  their  revenues  in  sumptuous  pride 
and  vulgar  pleasures.  In  the  excess  of  his  resent- 
ment he  penned  this  lamentation  of  "  the  thrice 
three  Muses "  on  the  contempt  into  which  poetry 
had  fallen,  reiterating  at  greater  length,  and  in  gen- 
eral terms  (which  still  invite  a  particular  applica- 
tion), those  complaints  which  the  supposed  hostility 
of  Burleigh  had  evoked  in  the  Ruins  of  Time.  But 
although  the  occasion  and  the  principal  burden  of 
these  doleful  strains  seem  to  be  the  private  griev- 
ances of  the  author,  they  sometimes  take  a  wider 

1  This  was  dedicated  to  Lady  Strange,  sixth  daughter  of  Sir 
John  Spencer  of  Althorpe,  and  a  relative  of  the  poet.  It  was  for 
her  and  her  daughter's  husband,  the  Earl  of  Bridgewater,  that 
Milton  composed  his  Arcades  and  Comus. 


MEMOIR    OP    SPENSER.  XXXUl 

range.  The  Mar-prelate  controversy  was  now  raging 
violently,  and,  while  the  mind  of  the  nation  was  oc- 
cupied with  polemics,  a  wi'iter  who  did  not  join  one 
side  or  the  other  was  not  likely  to  receive  much  at- 
tention. No  talents  are  too  mean  for  such  disputes, 
and  it  must  have  been  humiliating  indeed  to  a  man 
like  Spenser  to  be  eclipsed  by  a  crowd  of  vulgar  and 
ignorant  wranglers.  The  controversy  was  carried  into 
the  theatres,  and  their  Ucense  to  entertain  the  people 
was  abused  by  a  free  handling  of  "  matters  of  state 
and  religion."  The  consequences  which  ensued  are 
depicted  in  striking  terms  in  the  Complaint  of  Thalia. 
Shameless  ribaldry  and  scurrilous  folly  drove  out  in- 
nocent mirth  and  "seasoned  wit";  and  that  gentle 
spirit  who  had  already,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six,  ex- 
tmguished  the  fame  of  every  rival  on  the  comic 
stage,  OUR  PLEASANT  WiLLT,  withdrew  himself  from 
the  revoking  scene,  until  the  reign  of  reason  and  taste 
should  be  restored.-"^ 

Next  follows  Virgil's  Gnat,  a  skilful  and  pleasing 
paraphrase  of  the  Culex.  We  read  on  the  title-page 
that  this  had  lonsr  before  been  dedicated  to  the  Earl 
of  Leicester.  It  must,  therefore,  have  been  written 
between  1579  and  1588,  the  year  in  which  Leicester 
died,  and  (as  it  has  reference  to  some  offence  which 
Spenser  had  undesignedly  given  his  patron)  probably 
as  early  as  1580,  while  the  poet  was  still  in  the  Earl's 
service.     This,  then,  would  be  one  of  those  poems 


1  There  can  be  no  longer  any  question  whether  Shakespeare  is 
meant  by  "  our  pleasant  Willy."  See  Collier's  Life  of  Shakft- 
speare,  Chap.  VII.;  Knight's  Biography,  pp.  342-348. 


XXXIV  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

which  had  been  for  several  years  circulating  in  manu- 
script, and  the  preservation  of  which  we  may  owe  to 
the  printer  Ponsonby. 

Virgil's  Gnat  is  succeeded  by  Mother  Huhherd's 
Tale,  a  satire  in  the  manner  of  Chaucer,  full  of  point 
and  spirit,  and  penned  with  an  energy  uncommon  to 
Spenser.  This  delightful  piece  was,  according  to  the 
author,  composed  in  the  "  raw  conceit  of  his  youth." 
If  so,  it  was  probably  written  before  he  went  to 
L'eland,^  and  while  he  was  still  waiting  for  pre- 
ferment at  Leicester  House.  A  second  and  more 
irritating  experience  of  life  at  court  would  enable  him 
to  deepen  the  colors  and  sharpen  the  strokes  of  his 
earlier  sketch.  The  whole  composition  was  no  doubt 
worked  over  before  it  was  published,  and  some  of  the 
most  vigorous  passages  appear  to  have  been  added 
during  this  revision. 

After  Mother  Hubberd's  Tale  comes  the  Ruins  of 
Rome,  a  series  of  thirty-two  sonnets  translated  from 
Bellay's  Antiquities  of  Rome,  to  which  is  added  an 
Envoy.  These  translations  are  printed  without  dedi- 
cation or  any  sort  of  preface,  and,  like  all  the  re- 
maining pieces  in  the  Complaints,  except  the  poem 
which  is  next  to  be  noticed,  are  ascribed  to  Spenser 
solely  on  the  authority  of  Ponsonby.  If  really  hii, 
they  may  be  considered  as  youthful  performances  to 
which  he  attached  no  great  value. 

Muiopotmos,  or  The  Fate  of  the  Butterfly,  is  dated, 

1  As  Todd  has  remarked,  the  description  of  the  ape  at  court 
(v.  663  -  679)  may  have  reference  to  the  same  "  gi-eat  raagnifico  " 
satirized  by  Hai-vey  in  his  Speculum  Tu^canismi.  See  Harvey's 
tetter  to  Spenser  of  the  23d  of  April,  1580. 


MEMOIR    OP   SPENSER.  XXXV 

probably  by  mistake  of  the  printer,  1590,  instead  of 
1591.  There  is  reason  to  suppose  that  it  was  pub- 
lished before  the  rest  of  the  volume.  An  enthusiastic 
critic  has  pronounced  this  airy  little  poem  the  most 
beautiful  thing  in  Spenser  out  of  the  magic  circle 
of  the  Fairy  Queen ;  ^  but,  with  all  its  grace,  it  is 
deficient  in  that  ''minute  pencilling  of  nature"  which 
the  character  of  the  piece  required,  and  though  care- 
fully elaborated,  it  is  not  picturesque.  If  Muiopot- 
mos  be  meant  for  anything  more  than  a  simple  tale 
of  a  spider  and  a  fly,  or  a  fable  with  the  general 
moral  of  the  insecurity  of  youth  and  happiness,  the 
enigma  which  it  contains  defies  solution.  The  date 
of  the  composition  cannot  be  fixed. 

Three  series  of  Visions,  the  second  translated  from 
Bellay,  the  third  from  Petrarch,  form  the  remamder 
of  the  Complaints.  They  set  forth  through  a  succes- 
sion of  tableaux  the  instability  of  glory  and  the  vanity 
of  all  worldly  things,  —  Spenser's  most  favorite  theme. 
Their  stately  eloquence  is  rather  impressive,  and  we 
do  not  hesitate  to  call  them,  with  the  printer,  "  med- 
itations very  gi-ave  and  profitable."  The  interesting 
question  concerning  the  authorship  of  the  last  two 
has  already  been  noticed.^ 

In  December,  1591,  we  find  Spenser  again  in  Kil- 
colman.  Some  of  the  brilliant  expectations  he  in- 
dulged on  his  first  setting  out  for  England  may  not 
have  been  realized,  but  he  was  henceforth  to  receive 
the  liberal  pension  of  oOl  a  year,  a  sum  equivalent 


1  Christopher  North  in  Blackwood's  Magazine,  November,  1833. 
'  Ante,  pp.  X.,  xi. 


XXXVl  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

to  at  least  two  hundred  and  fifty  at  the  present  time. 
Before  leaving  Ireland  he  had  probably  assigned  his 
office  of  Clerk  of  the  Council  of  Munster  to  another 
person/  for  valuable  considerations.  In  this  case,  he 
would  now  be  entirely  at  leisure  to  cultivate  the 
Muses. 

His  first  production  was  the  so-called  pastoral  of 
Colin  Cloict  's  covie  Home  again ;  an  offering  of 
gratitude  to  Raleigh,  the  Queen,  and  others  who 
had  befriended  him,  expressed  under  the  form  of  a 
description  of  his  sojourn  in  England.  In  this  poem 
he  gives  a  history  "  agreeing,"  he  assures  us,  "  with 
the  truth,  in  circumstance  and  matter,"  of  the  visit 
paid  him  by  Raleigh  in  1589,  their  voyage  in  com- 
pany to  England,  and  his  introduction  to  Queen 
Elizabeth,  and  sketches  briefly  the  most  distinguished 
poets  and  scholars,  and  the.  most  beautiful  ladies,  that 
adorned  the  metropolis  and  the  court.  The  perfec- 
tions of  the  Queen  are  extolled  in  lofty  phrases,  nor 
is  the  occasion  lost  to  read  inexperienced  "  shepherds  " 
one  lesson  more  on  the  dangers  and  vexations  that 
hedge  the  way  to  preferment  with  princes.  A  sharp 
tirade  against  the  vices  of  courts,  and  the  abuses  prac- 
tised there  in  the  name  of  Love,  conducts  to  a  long 
metaphysical  exposition  of  the  nature  of  that  passion, 
and  this  not  very  appropriate  episode  is  terminated 
by  a  fervid  eulogy  of  Rosalind,  to  whom  the  poet 
still  professes  an  everlasting  devotion  :  — 

"  And  ye,  my  fellow  shepheards,  which  do  see 
And  hear  the  languours  of  my  too  long  dying, 

1  See  page  xli.  of  this  Memoir. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  XXXvii 

Unto  the  world  forever  witnesse  bee 

That  hers  I  die,  nought  to  the  world  denying 

This  simple  trophe  of  her  great  conquest." 

The  poem  on  being  finished  was  dedicated  to  Sir 
Walter  Raleigh,  in  a  letter  dated  December  27, 1591,^ 
and  was  no  doubt  despatched  to  him  over  sea,  fresh 
from  the  author's  pen.  Like  many  other  composi- 
tions of  Spenser,  it  remained  unprinted  several  years, 
but  it  was  probably  read  extensively  in  manuscript.'* 
It  was  made  public  in  1595,  together  with  other 
pieces,  in  a  small  quarto,  and  before  it  appeared 
at  least  one  passage  was  interpolated,  suggested  by 
an  event  that  had  occurred  since  1591  :  this  was 
a  notice  of  the  death  of  the  Earl  of  Derby,  (the 
husband  of  one  of  Spenser's  kinswomen,  and  him- 
self a  poet,)  which  took  place  in  April,  1594. 

The  other  pieces  which  were  included  in  the  same 
volume  with  Colin  Clout 's  come  Home  again,  are  all 
elegies  on  the  death  of  Su'  Philip  Sidney,  and  as 
such  would  most  naturally  have  been  composed  to- 
wards the  end  of  the  year  1586.  They  are  by  va- 
rious  authors,  Spenser's,  which  is  entitled   "Astro- 


1  Todd's  reasons  for  changing  this  date  to  1594  or  1595  have 
no  force  whatever.  The  Rosamond  and  the  Cleopatra  of  Daniel 
ore  probably  alluded  to,  v.  416-427,  and  neither  of  them  was  pub- 
lished until  after  1591.  But  Spenser  may  have  seen  them  in  writ- 
ing, as  he  had  the  Eliseis  of  Alabaster  (v.  400-411);  or  if  he  had 
not,  there  still  was  an  opportunity  for  him  to  insert  his  compli- 
ment in  1595.     See  also  the  notes,  Vol.  IV.  pp.  377,  385. 

2  Whether  this  was  owing  to  the  caution  of  booksellei-s  or  to 
the  indifference  of  authors,  it  was  extremely  common  in  those 
days.  The  Elegy  on  the  death  of  Sir  Philip  Sidney  must  have 
been  ivritten  about  nine  vears  before  it  was  prmted. 


aXXVIU  memoir    of    SPENSER. 

phel,^  a  Pastoral  Elegy,"  being  the  best,  where  none 
are  of  first-rate  merit. 

There  are  no  indications  that  the  feelins:  with 
which  Rosalind  had  inspired  the  youthful  scholar  fresh 
from  the  University  was  ever  very  deep ;  at  any 
rate,  her  image  had  long  since  been  transferred  from 
his  heart  to  his  fancy,  and  had  become  the  object  of 
mere  poetic  contemplation.  But  whatever  may  be 
thought  of  this  attachment,  its  flame  was  now,  at  the 
distance  of  only  a  year  from  the  time  when  the 
lines  just  quoted  from  Colin  Clout  were  penned,  to  be 
extinguished  in  a  more  serious  and  a  more  fortunate 
passion.  Henceforth  we  hear  no  more  of  Rosalind, 
except  in  that  Canto  of  the  Fairy  Queen  where  her 
pride  and  cruelty  are  represented  as  visited  with  a 
heavy  punishment.^  The  history  of  his  successful 
courtship  is  minutely  detailed  by  the  lover  himself 
in  the  Amoretti,  and  ranges  in  time  from  the  end  of 
1592  to  the  early  part  of  1594.^  The  lady's  name 
was  Elizabeth.  In  the  Fairy  Queen  she  is  called  a 
country  lass,  and  in  the  Epithalamion  she  is  said  to 
live  near  the  sea.     Her  position  in  society  was  not 


1  Sidney  in  his  love-poems  calls  his  mistress  Stella  and  himself 
Astrophel,  coining  this  last  out  of  the  Greek  equivalent  for  Stella 
and  the  first  syllable  of  his  own  Christian  name. 

2  Book  VI.  Canto  VII.  Compai-e  the  passage  in  Colin  Clout, 
V.  903-951. 

3  See  the  first  page  of  this  Memoir,  and  Vol.  V.  p.  241.  The 
number  of  Spenser's  children,  four,  or  possibly  five,  shows  that  he 
could  not  have  been  married  later  than  1594.  Nor  can  we  well  sup- 
pose that  he  was  married  earlier  than  that,  for  the  Sonnets  begin 
with  the  close  of  a  year,  and  the  language  used  of  Rosalind  in  Colin 
Clout  will  not  admit  of  our  believini^  this  to  be  the  year  1591. 


MKMOIll    OF    Sl'ENSER.  XXxLx 

improbably  tlie  same  as  that  of  the  "merchant's 
daughters,"  to  whom  an  appeal  is  made  in  the  same 
poem.  In  a  pedigree  "  compiled  from  the  records  of 
Ireland "  by  Sir  William  Betham,  she  is  indeed  set 
down  as  daughter  of  an  anonymous  peasant  of  ob- 
scure family ;  but  no  reader  of  the  Sonnets  will  believe 
that  the  object  of  such  respectful,  as  well  as  ardent, 
devotion  was  a  Dulcinea  who  owed  all  her  charms 
and  accomplishments  to  a  Quixotic  imagination,  or 
doubt  that  she  was  a  gentlewoman  of  a  station  and 
bi'eeding  equal  to  those  of  her  admirer.  After  a  hard 
siege  of  more  than  a  year,  in  which  the  assailant  suf- 
fered many  a  rebuff,  this  "  sweet  warrior "  surren- 
dered, and  the  marriage  took  place  (apparently  in 
the  city  of  Cork  ^)  on  St.  Barnabas's  day,  1594. 
The  charms  of  his  Elizabeth  are  profusely  celebrated 
by  Spenser  in  his  Amoretti,  in  the  Fairy  Queeu,^  and 
best  of  all  in  his  Epithalamion.  Love  roused  his 
whole  nature  into  action,  and  excess  of  happiness 
stirred  his  serene  temper  to  an  unwonted  depth.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  who  would  get  at  once  the  truest  and 
the  most  favorable  idea  of  the  man,  should  read  these 
Sonnets  and  this  Marriage  Song.  "  His  Amoretti 
overflow  with  all  love's  tenderest  fancies.  All  tho.-e 
in  which  joy  is  subdued  by  serious  thought,  and  in 
which  he  looks  with  conjugal  eyes  and  with  a  conjugal 
heart  on  his  betrothed,  are  beautiful  exceedingly." 
But  this  is  not  praise  enough  for  the  matcliless  Ei>i- 
thalamion.     "  Joy,  Love,  Desire,  Passion,  Gratitude, 

1  See  Epithalamion,  v.  107.     Kilcolman  was  in  the  vicinity  of 
Cork. 
3  Book  VI.  Canto  X. 

AOL.  1  4 


Xl  MEMOIR    OF    Sl'ENSER. 

Religion,  rejoice  in  presence  of  Heaven  to  take  poa- 
session  of  Affection,  Beauty,  and  Innocence.  Faith 
and  Hope  are  bridesmaids,  and  holiest,  license  is 
burnin2[  on  the  altar."  ^ 

The  Amoretti  and  Epithalamion  were  entered  in 
the  Stationers'  Registers  on  the  19th  of  November, 
1594,  and  were  published  in  the  following  year.^ 

While  Spenser  was  inditing  these  love-poems,  and 
was  to  all  appearance  absorbed  in  the  sentiraeni 
which  inspired  them,  he  was  so  far  from  neglecting 
his  estates  as  to  incur  the  imputation  of  attempting 
to  add  to  them  by  encroachments  and  oppressive  legal 
proceedings.  There  are  passages  in  his  minor  poems 
which  indicate  a  temperament  somewhat  irritable  and 
suspicious ;  he  was  doubtless  sufficiently  jealous  of 
his  rights,  and  the  hostility  of  the  native  landholdex's 
amon2;  wliom  he  was  settled  would  be  certain  to 
brino;  him  into  collision  with  them.  It  would  be  no 
wonder,  therefore,  if  he  became  unpopular  among  his 

1  Christopher  North  in  Black-wood's  JIagazine,  November,  1833. 

2  They  were  dedicated  by  Ponsonby  to  Sir  Robert  Needham,  in 
the  following  terms :  — 

"Sir:  — 
"  To  gratulate  your  safe  return  from  Ireland,  I  had  nothing  so 
ready,  nor  thought  anything  so  meet,  as  those  sweet-conceited  Son- 
nets, the  deed  of  that  well-deserving  gentleman,  Master  Edmund 
Spenser;  wliose  name  sufficiently  warranting  the  worthiness  of 
tlie  work,  I  do  more  confidently  presume  to  publish  in  his  absence. 
This  gentle  Muse,  for  her  former  perfection  long  wished  for  in 
England,  now  at  the  length  crossing  the  seas  to  your  happy  com- 
pany (though  to  yourself  unknown)  seemeth  to  make  choice  of 
you,  &c. 

"  Yours  in  all  dutiful  affection, 

"  W.  P." 


MEMOIR    OF    SPKNSEK.  xli 

neighbors,  and  if  his  memory,  which,  we  are  told,  is 
still  preserved  in  the  vicinity  of  Kilcolman,  should 
not  be  regarded  by  their  posterity  with  affection  or 
respect.  The  particular  aggressions  with  which  ho 
is  charged  are  thus  stated  by  Mr.  Hardiman  in  his 
Irish  Ministrelsy  ^ : 

"In  1593,  Maurice,  Lord  Roche,  Viscount  Fermoy,  petitioned 
the  Lord  Chancellor  of  Ireland,  stating,  '  where[as]  one  Edmund 
Spenser,  gentleman,  hath  lately  exhibited  suit  against  your  sup- 
pliant for  three  plough  lands,  parcel  of  Shanballymore  (your  sup- 
pliant's inheritance),  before  the  Vice-President  and  Council  of 
Munster,  which  land  hath  been  heretofore  decreed  for  your  suppli- 
ant against  the  said  Spenser  and  others  under  whom  he  conveyed; 
and  nevertheless,  for  that  tlie  said  Spenser,  being  clerk  of  the 
Council  in  the  said  province,  and  did  assign  his  office  unto  one 
Nicholas  CuHeys,  among  other  agreements  with  covenant  that 
during  his  life  he  should  be  free  in  the  said  office  for  his  causes, 
by  occasion  of  which  immunity  he  doth  multiply  suits  against 
your  suppliant,  in  the  said  province,  upon  pretended  title  of 
others.'  —  Orig.  Rolls  Office.  At  the  same  time.  Lord  Roche  pre- 
sented another  petition  against  Joan  Ny  Callaghan,  whom  he 
states  to  be  his  opponent  •  by  supportation  and  maintenance  of 
Edmund  Spenser,  gentleman,  a  heavy  adversary  uuto  your  sup- 
pliant.' —  Oriff.  He  again  exhibited  another  plaint,  '  that  Ed 
mund  Spenser  of  Kilcolman,  gentleman,  hath  entered  into  three 
plough  lands,  parcel  of  Ballingerath,  and  disseized  your  suppli- 
ant thereof,  and  contiuueth  by  countenance  and  gi-eatness  the 
possession  thereof,  and  maketh  great  waste  of  the  wooil  of  the 
said  land,  and  converteth  a  great  deal  of  corn  growing  thereupon 
to  his  proper  use,  to  the  damage  of  the  complainant  of  two  hun- 
dred pounds  sterhng.  Whereunto  the  said  Edmund  Spenser  ap- 
pearing in  person  had  several  days  prefixed  unto  him  peremptorily 
to  answer,  which  he  neglected  to  do;  therefore  after  a  day  of  grace 
given,'  on  the  12th  of  Febniary,  1594,  Lord  Roche  was  decreed 
his  possession.  —  Orig.  Decree." 

In  the  eightieth  Sonnet,  written  some  time  after 


1  Page  320  of  Vol.  L 


^dii  MEMOIR   OF   spenser. 

Easter,  lo94,  we  ai-e  told  that  six  books  of  the  Fairy 
Queen  are  finished,  and  the  autlior,  indirectly  apolo- 
gising to  Elizabeth  (as  he  had  done  in  the  thirty- 
third)  for  not  finishing  his  undertaking,  desires  leave 
to  rest  awhile,  and  gather  breath  for  the  second  por- 
tion of  his  task.  His  marriage  followed  soon  after 
this  Sonnet  was  written,  and  as  there  is  no  work  that 
we  can  assign  to  the  period  immediately  succeeding 
the  nuptials,  we  are  at  liberty  to  believe  that  the  poet 
was  occupied  for  a  year  or  more  with  the  preparation 
of  his  View  of  the  State  of  Ireland.  The  second 
part  of  the  Fairy  Queen  was  entered  in  the  Station- 
ers' Registers  on  the  20th  of  January,  1596,  and  was 
published  in  the  course  of  the  same  year,  together 
with  a  new  edition  of  the  first  three  books,  in  which 
some  judicious  changes  and  corrections  were  made, 
The  six  books  were  reprinted  in  a  single  folio  in 
1609,  and  then,  ten  years  after  the  author's  death, 
appeared  for  the  first  time  the  Two  Cantos  of  Muta- 
bility, which  were  to  have  formed  a  part  of  some  sub- 
sequent book.  It  is  not  known  that  any  more  of  the 
Fairy  Queen  was  ever  written.  Sir  James  Ware,  to 
be  sure,  states  confidently  that  the  latter  part  Avas 
finished  in  Ireland,  and  was  lost  by  the  carelessness 
of  a  servant  by  whom  it  was  sent  to  England.  But 
it  is  inconceivable  that  the  poet  should  have  accom- 
plished in  the  four  years  between  1594  and  1598,  in- 
terrupted as  that  time  was  by  his  marriage  and  by  a 
long  visit  to  England,  a  task  equal  in  extent  and 
supei'ior  in  difficulty  (since  the  adventures  left  un- 
finished in  the  first  six  books  were  to  be  formed,  to- 
gether with  those  which  should  succeed,  into  a  con- 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  xiiii 

sistent  whole)  to  that  on  which  he  had  expended  full 
sixteen.^  The  only  positive  evidence  of  importance 
which  bears  on  the  subject  is  the  inscription  of  an 
epigram  cited  by  Todd  from  a  book  of  Sir  John 
Stradling  {Epigrammatum  Lihri  Quatuor),  published 
in  1607:  '-Ad  Edm.  Spencer,  eximiura  poetara,  dk 
exemplaribus  suis  quibusdam  manuscriptis,  ab  Hiber- 
nicis  exlegihus  igne  crematis,  in  Hibernica  defectione.^' 
Certain  papers  of  Spenser  wei-e  therefore  destroyed 
by  the  fire  which  consumed  his  dwelling ;  and  if  any 
person  shall  choose  to  consider  that  a  part  of  the  con- 
cluding books  of  the  Fairy  Queen  were  among  them, 
it  will  be  impossible  to  refute  his  opinion. 

The  superintendence  of  the  publication  of  the  Fai- 
ry Queen  might  naturally  call  Spenser  to  England. 
But  other  works  of  his  had  been  printed  without  his 
assistance,  and  a  more  probable  motive  for  his  under- 
taking the  journey  is  the  hope  of  additional  prefer- 
ment. He  crossed  the  sea,  perhaps  in  the  latter  part 
of  1595.     In  the  summer  of  the  following  year  we 


1  Thetestimony  of  Browne  (Britannia's  Pastorals,  Book  II  Song 
I.),  though  not  decisive,  is  worth  as  nauch  as  the  hearsay  of  Sir 
James  Ware,  seventeen  years  later :  — 

"  But  ere  he  ended  his  melodious  song, 
A  host  of  angels  flew  the  clouds  among, 
And  rapt  this  swan  from  his  attentive  mates." 

A  correspondent  of  Notes  and  Queries  (October  15,  1853),  con- 
sidering the  case  by  no  means  so  clear,  thus  quotes  from  Mrs. 
Hall's  "Work  on  Ireland":  "More  than  mere  rumor  exists  lor 
believm^  that  the  lost  books  have  been  preserved,  and  that  tlie 
manuscript  was  in  the  possession  of  a  Captain  Garrett  Nagle 
witbui  the  last  forty  years.'"  ( I ) 


sliv  MEMOIR    OP    SPENSER. 

find  him  in  London,  beginning  his  Prothalamion  with 
the  old  complaint, — 

"  long  fruitless  stay 
In  princes  court,  and  expectation  vain 
Of  idle  hopes,  which  still  do  fly  away." 

This  poem,  which  was  made  in  honor  of  the  marriage 
of  two  daughters  of  the  Earl  of  Worcester,  was  writ- 
ten and  printed  in  1596.  In  September  of  the  same 
year,  Spenser  dedicated  to  the  Countesses  of  Cumber- 
land and  Warwick,  his  Four  Hymns.  The  first  two 
of  these,  those  in  praise  of  Love  and  of  Beauty,  were, 
he  says,  written  in  the  greener  times  of  his  youth,  and 
so  many  copies  were  scattered  abroad,  that,  when  one  of 
these  two  ladies  (a  precisian  she  must  have  been)  ad- 
vised that  they  should  be  suppressed,  as  being  too  warm 
in  their  tone,  it  was  found  impracticable  to  call  them 
in.  To  amend  the  mischief  which  might  have  been 
done  by  these  hymns  of  earthly  Love  and  Beauty,  the 
author  resolved  therefore  to  write  two  others,  of  heav- 
enly and  celestial,  and  then  very  oddly  published  all 
four  together.  More  splendid  examples  of  the  power 
of  verbal  harmony  than  these  compositions  afford 
can  nowhere  be  found  in  Spenser  or  any  other  poet. 
Both  the  passionate  and  the  religious  sentiment  are 
to  a  certain  degree  unreal ;  the  one  is  blended  with 
metaphysics,  the  other  is  too  ascetic ;  but  the  soul  of 
the  reader  is  taken  captive  by  the  concord  of  sweet 
sounds,  and  thought  is  dissolved  into  rapturous  feel- 
ing by  long-drawn  strains  of  deep,  rich  music :  — 

"  Ne  from  thenceforth  doth  any  fleshly  sense, 
Or  idle  thought  of  earthly  things,  remaine ; 
But  all  that  earst  seemd  sweet  seemes  now  offense, 
And  all  that  pleased  earst  now  seemes  to  paine. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  xlv 

And  all  that  pompe  to  which  proud  minds  aspyre 
By  name  of  Honor,  and  so  much  desjTC, 
Seemes  to  them  basenesse,  and  all  riches  drosse, 
And  all  mirth  sadnesse,  and  all  lucre  losse." 

The  condition  of  the  unhappy  country  which  Spen- 
ser had  adopted  for  his  home,  and  with  the  fovern- 
raent  of  which  he  had  been  in  several  capacities  con- 
nected, would  necessarily  incite  a  thoughtful  mind  to 
inquire  into  the  cause,  and  to  seek  for  a  remedy,  of 
the  enormous  evils  by  which  it  was  overrun.     The 
poet  gave  no  little  time  to  these  investigations,  and 
had  his  sympathies  been  more  heartily  engaged  on 
the  side  of  the  miserable  natives,  and  his  attention 
less  exclusively  directed  to  the  interest  of  their  for- 
eign masters,   his  opportunities  for  observation  and 
his  natural  sagacity  were  such  as  would  have  enabled 
him  to  do  both  the  state  and  humanity  some  service, 
and  to  have  greatly  assisted,  perhaps,  in  the  solution 
of  a  practical  problem,  the  difficulties  of  which  still 
remain  nearly  as  great  as  ever.^     The  "  View  of  the 
State  of  Ireland,  written  dialogue-wise  between  Eu- 
doxus  and  Irenjeus,"  exhibits  the  fruits  of  his  inquiries 
and  reflections.     It  is  a  very  interesting  discourse, 
and  admirably  written.     The  evils  and  abuses  which 


1  "  But  they  say  it  is  the  fatal  destiny  of  that  land,  that  no 
purposes  whatsoever  which  are  meant  for  her  good  will  prosper 
or  take  good  effect;  which,  whether  it  proceed  from  the  very 
genius  of  the  soil,  or  influence  of  the  stars,  or  that  Almighty 
God  hath  not  yet  appointed  the  time  of  her  reformation,  or  tliat 
he  resei-veth  her  in  this  unquiet  state  still  for  some  secret  scourge 
which  shall  by  her  come  unto  England,  it  is  hard  to  be  known, 
but  yet  much  to  be  feared."  —  Extracted  from  the  Introductirin 
JO  the  View  of  the  State  of  Ireland,  Todd,  VIII.  299 


Xlvi  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

require  redress  are  exposed  with  great  power  and 
cleai'ness ;  the  remedy  proposed  is  the  same  which 
Lord  Grey  had  employed,  and  which  Spenser  had 
sanctioned  in  the  Legend  of  Justice,  —  unsparing, 
thorough-going  force ;  "  a  strong  hand,"  and  a  free 
use  of  the  sword. 

This  treatise  was  probahly  composed  in  Ireland, 
and,  receiving  afterwards  a  few  finishing  strokes  in 
England,  presented  in  the  earlier  part  of  1596  to  the 
Queen  and  the  most  considerable  persons  of  the 
court.-^  It  was  first  published  in  1633,  at  Dublin,  by 
Sir  James  "Ware.  The  author  doubtless  looked  to 
have  some  reward  for  the  zeal  he  had  displayed  for 
the  English  government ;  nor  were  his  claims  entirely 
passed  over,  for  in  a  letter  from  the  Queen,  dated  the 
30th  of  September,  1598,  he  is  recommended  to  the 
Irish  administration  to  be  sheriff  of  Cork. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  Spenser  had  re- 
turned to  Kilcolman  before  this  time.  He  was  living 
on  his  estates  in  October,  1598,  when  the  insurrection 
in  Munster  broke  out.  None  of  the  English  under- 
takers could  expect  mercy  of  the  rebels,  and  Spenser 
least  of  all.  They  pillaged  his  goods  and  bui-nt  his 
house.      He  escaped   with   his   wife,   but   an   infant 

1  The  date  of  the  manuscripts,  of  which  not  a  few  remain,  is 
said  to  be  unifonnly  1596 ;  but  the  work  Is  too  elaborate  to  have 
been  written,  as  Todd  supposes,  in  the  first  half  of  that  year. 
The  various  copies  were  perhaps  adapted  to  the  more  or  less 
ferocious  tastes,  and  to  the  private  enmities,  of  the  parties  to  whom 
they  were  submitted.  "  In  some  manuscripts  I  have  seen,"  says 
Todd,  "the  severity  of  Spenser,  as  well  in  respect  to  certain 
famines  as  to  the  nation  in  general,  is  considerably  ampUfied  '( ! )  — 
^ife  of  Spenser,  p.  cxxvi. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  xlvii 

cliild,  SO  says  Ben  Jonson,^  perished  in  the  flames. 
Thus  stripped  of  all  his  means  of  living  except  his 
pension,  Spenser  naturally  took  refuge  in  England. 
But  he  survived  his  misfortunes  only  three  months. 
He  died  at  an  inn  in  King  Street,  Westminster,  on 
the  16th  of  January  (0.  S.),  1599.^  He  was  buried 
in  Westminster  Abbey,  and,  as  was  most  fit,  next  to 
Chaucer.  The  Earl  of  Essex  undertook  the  charge 
of  his  funeral;  poets  attended  upon  his  liearse,  and 
mournful  elegies,  with  the  pens  that  wrote  them, 
were  thrown  into  his  tomb.^  We  are  informed  by 
Browne  in  his  Britannia's  Pastorals,^  that  Queen  Eliza- 
beth had  ordered  a  splendid  monument  to  her  laureate,, 

1  Conversations  with  Drummond,  (Shakespeare  Society,)  p.  12. 

2  "  He  died  for  laclc  of  bread,  in  King  Street,  and  refused  twenty- 
pieces  sent  to  him  by  my  Lord  of  Essex,  and  said,  '  He  was  sorry 
he  had  no  time  to  spend  tliem.'  "  —  Jonson's  Conversations  with 
Drummond,  p.  12.  This  absurd  and  calumnious  piece  of  gossip- 
(now  generally  rejected  as  such)  is  confuted  at  length  by  Todd» 
who,  however,  also  exceeds  his  authority  when  he  states  that 
Spenser's  heart  was  broken  by  his  misfortunes. 

8  Todd's  Life,  pp.  cxxix.,  cxxx. 

4  The  passage,  which  was  first  cited  in  Craik's  Spenser  and 
his  Poetry,  occurs  at  the  end  of  the  first  Song  of  the  Second  Book. 
"  Mighty  Nereus'  queen, 
In  memorj'  of  what  was  heard  and  seen. 
Employed  a  factor,  fitted  well  with  store 
Of  richest  gems,  refined  Indian  ore, 
To  raise,  in  honor  of  his  worthy  name, 
A  Pyramis,  whose  head,  like  winged  Fame, 
Should  pierce  the  clouds,  yea,  seem  the  st.ars  to  kiss, 
And  Mausolus'  great  tomb  might  shroud  in  his. 
The  will  had  been  performance,  had  not  Fate, 
That  never  knew  how  to  commiserate, 
Suborned  curst  Avarice  to  lie  in  wait 
For  that  rich  prey  (gold  is  a  taking  bait)- 


Xlviii  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

but  that  her  design  was  fi-ustrated  through  the  avarice 
of  some  person  whom  he  does  not  mention.  The 
monument  which  actually  stands  over  the  poet's  re- 
mains was  erected  by  Anne,  Countess  of  Dorset, 
about  thirty  years  after  his  death,  and  restored  iij 
1778  at  the  expense  of  Pembroke  College. 

The  pedigree  of  Spenser,  as  compiled  by  Sir  Wil- 
liam Betham  from  the  Records  of  Ireland,  assigns  to 
him  four  children,  Sylvanus,  Catherine,  Lawrence, 
and  Peregrine.  All  of  these  are  said  to  have  at- 
tained to  adult  years,  and  the  oldest  and  youngest 
sons  are  known  to  have  left  offspring  of  their  own. 
To  these  four  we  are  to  add,  if  we  accept  Ben  Jon- 
son's  authority,  the  infant  child  that  was  lost  at  the 
destruction  of  Kilcolman,  making  in  all  the  highly 
improbable  number  of  five.  Persons  still  survive 
who  claim  to  be  lineally  derived  from  this  illustrious 
source ;  but  a  satisfactory  case  cannot  be  made  out, 
and,  in  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Hardiman,  the  family  long 
since  became  extinct.  Undoubted  descendants  of 
the  poet's  sister  Sarah  were  existing  in  1845,  under 
the  name  of  Travers.^  His  wife  was  remarried, 
shortly  after  his  death,  to  one  Roger  Seckerstone. 

Besides  the  pieces  already  mentioned,  there  will 


Who,  closely  lurking  like  a  subtle  snake 

Under  the  covert  of  a  thorny  brake, 

Seized  on  the  factor  by  fair  Thetis  sent, 

And  robbed  our  Colin  of  his  monument." 
1  An  interesting  investigation  of  all  the  known  facts  respecting 
Spenser's  descendants  and  family  connections  is  given  further  od 
in  an  Appendix,  which  has  been  extracted  from  Craik's  Spemer 
and  his  Poetry,  Vol.  III.  p.  243. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  xlix 

be  found  in  these  volumes  five  Epigrams,  which 
are  appended  to  the  Amoretti  in  the  first  folio  edition 
of  Spenser's  complete  poems  (1611),  and  as  many 
Sonnets,  one  addressed  to  Harvey,  the  others  prefixed, 
by  way  of  compliment  to  the  author  or  publisher, 
to  certain  translations  from  the  French  and  Italian 
which  appeared  between  1595  and  1599.  Other 
works  have  been  attributed  to  him,  but  none,  it  is 
believed,  upon  sufficient  reasons. 

Several  portraits  of  Spenser  have  been  preserved, 
and  two  have  been  published.  "  Mr.  Beeston  "  told 
Aubrey  that  "  he  was  a  little  man,  wore  short  hair, 
little  band,  and  little  cuffs." 

The  foregoing;  sketch,  while  it  presents  a  summary 
of  all  that  can  now  be  ascertained  of  the  uneventful 
career  of  the  writer,  does  not  afford  a  satisfactory  in- 
sight into  the  character  and  spirit  of  the  man.  This 
can  only  be  attained  by  reading  his  works  in  the  light 
derived  from  a  knowledge  of  his  life  and  fortunes. 
Feeling  himself  predestined  to  poetry,  Spenser  lis- 
tened to  no  other  vocation.  Literature  was  not  yet 
for  a  long  time  to  become  one  of  the  recognized  and 
profitable  professions.  No  great  poet  before  Shake- 
speare ever  made  a  fortune  from  the  public  by  his 
writinfTs.  Those  who  set  up  to  live  by  their  wits 
(and  men  of  genius  tried  the  experiment)  fell  mto 
the  vilest  prostitution,  and  sometimes  perished  in  mis- 
ery. The  choice  was  indeed  the  patron  or  the  jail. 
Spenser  never  had  any  doubt  or  made  any  secret  of 
his  preference.  The  very  plan  of  the  Fairy  Queen, 
a  plan  formed  early  in  life,  perhaps  at  college,  implies 


1  MEMOIR    OK    SPENSER. 

a  design  on  Elizabeth's  stronsr-box  and.  the  good  offi- 
ces of  twelve  of  hex*  knights.  Bashfulness  did  not 
long  stand  in  his  way.  He  was  resolved  to  have  a 
share  in  "  that  rich  fee  which  poets  wont  divide." 
In  the  Shepherds'  Calendar  he  urges  his  claims  with 
some  confidence ;  with  time  he  grew  clamorous,  and 
he  was,  to  speak  the  truth,  throughout  his  life  an  im- 
portunate suitor.  Sidney,  Leicester,  Earl  Grey,  and 
Raleigh  successively  befriended  him,  and  the  Queen 
gave  him  first  a  considerable  estate,  and  then  a  re- 
spectable stipend.  Thus  he  procured  the  leisure  to 
exercise  his  pen,  "  the  vacant  head  which  verse  de- 
mands,'*^ but  he  incurred  at  the  same  time  the  obli- 
gations of  a  court-poet,  which,  though  they  may  have 
sat  lightly  on  the  shoulders  of  a  loyal  subject  and  an 
humble  offshoot  of  the  aristocracy,  by  nature  prone  to 
admiration,  led  him  sometimes  into  servile  compliances 
and  into  a  habit  of  adulation.  We  join  in  the  praises 
bestowed  on  Sidney,  the  true  "precedent  of  nobleness 
and  chivalry";  we  demur  not  to  his  laudation  of  the 
virtue  and  the  personal  charms  of  Elizabeth,^  whom 
he  saw  through  the  glowing  haze  of  the  divinity  that 
doth  hedge  a  king,  and  whose  red  hair  might  well 
look  golden  as  she  was  dispensing  her  praises  and  her 
pensions  ;  we  can  even  excuse  the  eager  partisan  who 


1  See  Shepherds'  Calendar,  October,  v.  100. 

2  "  It  is  often  ludicrous  to  witness  Spenser's  trepidation  on  finding 
that  he  has  gone  too  far  in  praise  of  beauty.  Whether  speaking  in 
his  own  character,  or  that  of  another,  he  checks  himself  at  full 
speed,  and  lugs  in  the  Queen.  Sure  as  fate,  there  comes  that  ever- 
lasting Cynthia."  —  Christopher  North,  Blackwood'8  Magaaine^ 
Nov.  1833. 


MEMOIR    OF    Sl'ENSKK.  M 

vilified  the  Queen  of  Scots  and  justified  her  execu- 
tion ;  but  we  cannot  applaud  the  panegyrist  of  Lord 
Grey's  administration  in  Ireland,  or  of  Leicester's 
campaign  in  the  Netherlands.  And,  speaking  more 
generally,  we  do  not  love  to  see  our  "  sage,  serious 
Spenser  "  turn  his  great  moral  song  into  a  venal  eulo- 
gy' of  the  great,  —  committing,  as  it  were,  the  ineffect- 
ual simony  of  selling  niches  in  the  Temple  of  Fame. 
But  conformity  was  the  vice  of  the  times,  —  it  could 
plead  the  example  of  innumerable  churchmen,  —  and 
flattery  was  a  custom,  and  almost  a  necessity,  among 
poets.  Spenser  was  no  innovator;  he  was  not  haunted 
by  an  austere,  uncompromising  conscience,  by  a  rest- 
less intellectual  scepticism,  or  even  curiosity  ;  he  was 
not  impatient  of  authority  and  routine.  In  his  youth 
he  was  indeed  a  Puritan,  but  against  the  natural  ten- 
dency of  his  mind,  which  should  rather  have  been  to 
Catholicism;  the  reason  was,  his  patrons  supported 
the  Low-Church  party.  He  was  satisfied  with  the 
existing  order  of  things,  provided  men  of  letters  were 
handsomely  maintained.  What  he  wanted  was  the 
complete  command  of  his  time,  —  comfort  and  ease,  not 
idleness,  for  in  labor  he  was  indefatigable.  He  would 
not  sacrifice  everything  to  obtain  this.  We  should  be 
Sony  to  do  less  than  justice  to  the  moral  elevation  of 
his  purposes  and  of  his  poetry.  He  aspired  to  give 
us  "nobler  loves  and  nobler  cares";  nay,  sometimes, 
doubtless,  more  religiously,  "  to  make  men  heavenly 
wise  through  humbled  will."  This  aspiration  he  has 
expressed  in  one  of  his  early  pieces. 

"  0  what  an  honor  is  it  to  restrain 
The  lust  of  lawless  youth  with  good  advice! " 


lii  MEMOIR    OF    SPKN3ER. 

But  his  courage  quailed  before  poverty.  He  could 
not  maintain  so  high  a  flight  on  an  empty  stomach. 
We  wish  he  had  been  born  to  a  competency.  He 
would  then  have  been  spared  much  irritation  of 
spirit,  and  we  some  unmanly  complaints,  while  the 
suspicion  of  rapacity  and  oppression  would  never  have 
darkened  the  fame  of  one  who  was  surely,  on  the 
whole,  a  gentle  and  upright  man. 

In  his  ready  adoption  of  the  prevailing  fashions  of 
literature  we  have  another  manifestation  of  his  con- 
servative, or,  let  us  rather  say,  of  his  yielding  disposi- 
tion, and  of  the  facility  with  which  he  took  the  color 
of  circumstances.  In  the  Shepherds'  Calendar  he 
kept  up  the  intolerable  practice  of  systematic  alliter- 
ation. In  his  greatest  works  he  was  contented  to  re- 
peat the  commonplaces  of  classic  poetry,  mythology, 
and  philosophy,  and  to  imitate  the  Italians  where  the 
Italians  had  imitated  the  ancients.  It  is  to  the  mo- 
ralities and  the  pageants  that  we  owe  his  frequent 
personifications ;  it  was  the  allegory  which  the  com- 
mentators had  constructed  on  the  Orlando,  and  Tasso 
upon  his  Jerusalem,  that  led  him  to  make  the  Fairy 
Queen  a  deliberately  "dai'k  conceit."  But  all  this 
was  to  be  expected  of  a  character  so  placid  and  un- 
enterprising. 

The  better  part  of  Spenser's  life  was  spent  in  Ire- 
land, in  what  must  be  regarded  as  seclusion.  Some 
time  was  given  to  business,  some  to  study.  Lodowick 
Bryskett  says  he  was  "  not  only  perfect  in  the  Greek 
tongue,  but  also  very  well  read  in  Philosopliy,  both 
moral  and  natural."  Of  course  he  was  a  scholar,  and 
had  a  well-stored  mind,  but  his  learning  has  been 


MKMOIR    OF    SPENSEH.  lii'l 

greatly  overstatpd.  There  is  nothing  in  his  poetry, 
or  in  the  man,  wh.'ch  should  lead  us  to  think  that  he 
regretted  the  loss  o?  society.  He  was  a  faithful  friend 
to  Harvey,  and  at  forty  became  an  ardent  lover;  but 
it  strikes  us  that  his  sympathies  were  contracted,  and 
his  affections  not  very  active.  His  acquaintance 
seems  to  have  lain  among  courtiers,  scholars,  and 
book-characters.  Mankind  he  may  have  understood, 
for  we  are  assured  that  he  was  versed  in  moral  plii- 
losophy  ;  but  men  he  had  not  profoundly  studied,  not 
even  his  own  heart.  There  are  few,  if  any,  traces  of 
self-discipline,  of  a  struggle  with  nature,  in  all  his 
writings ;  wliich  requires  explanation  in  so  contem- 
plative a  poet.  He  seems  never  to  have  known  a 
great  sorrow.  Tiie  "  atmosphere  of  mild  melancholy  " 
which  hangs  over  his  compositions  is  deceptive.  It 
is  in  part  an  illusion  produced  on  the  reader  by 
the  habitually  pensive  attitude  of  his  mind,  or  by  the 
melody  of  his  verse :  we  can  never  be  merry  when 
we  hear  such  sweet  music.  Some  of  it  is  a  humorous 
sadness,  nor  does  it  appear  in  any  great  degree  to 
have  sprung  from  a  rooted  discontent  with  his  posi- 
tion and  prospects  in  life,  or  with  himself.  His  pas- 
sions gave  him  very  little  trouble.  He  knew  them  in 
a  general  way,  but  not  as  a  man  knows  his  mortal 
enemy  when  he  has  grappled  with  him.  He  could 
give  an  outside  view  of  any  one  of  them,  but  could 
not  depict  the  complex  as  it  exists  in  human  hearts. 
He  had  not  dramatic  perception  or  power :  his  men 
and  women  are  mere  abstractions,  and,  roughly  speak- 
ing, they  are  all  alike.  He  probably  consulted  well 
for  his  reputation  in  suppressing  his  juvenile  comedies, 


ilV  ilEMOlK    OF    SPKNSEK. 

tor  his  comic  vein  was  extremely  thin,  and  adapted 
only  to  satire.  His  acquaintance  with  the  material 
world  was  as  superficial  as  his  knowledge  of  charac- 
ter. There  is  a  forest  and  there  is  a  garden  in  the 
Fairy  Queen,  and  his  verse  is  thick  bestrewn  with 
flowers ;  but  there  are  no  traces  that  Nature  and  he 
had  often  been  together.  He  has  his  primroses,  his 
daisies  and  daffodils,  but  not  the  dew-filled  primroses 
of  Herri ck,  the  mountain  daisy  of  Burns,  or  the  gol- 
den daffodils  of  Wordsworth.  In  connection  with 
these  peculiarities  must  be  noticed  the  coldness  of  his 
temperament.  If  we  admire  his  tranquil  health  and 
uniform  vigor,  we  miss  the  intense  nervous  energy 
and  the  fine  frenzy  of  poets  compact  of  more  fiery 
substance.  He  often  affects  enthusiasm,  indeed,  but 
seldom  feels  it.  Only  twice  has  he  risen  far  above 
his  ordinary  calm  level ;  in  Mother  Hubberd's  Tale 
and  in  his  Marriage  Song.  In  the  one  case,  disap- 
pointment, and  perhaps  insult,  had  stung  him  into 
hearty  indignation ;  in  the  other,  his  entire  being, 
"•  liver,  brain,  and  heart,"  was  possessed  and  stimu- 
lated by  the  new-born  passion  of  love.  Of  power  he 
exhibits  no  lack,  —  who  has  not  felt  his  strength, 
though  wielded  with  such  grace,  in  the  allegory  of 
Despair  ?  —  but  it  is  power  for  the  most  part  too 
much  diffused  to  produce  great  effects.  He  has  few 
of  those  pregnant  lines,  those  quintessential  abridg- 
ments of  thought  and  feeling,  which,  once  read,  stick 
for  ever  in  the  memory,  and  gradually  become  adopted 
into  the  language  itself.  Three  or  four  phrases  of  the 
sort  have  a  currency  in  more  elegant  literature ;  not 
Mie  has  taken  its  place  among  the  proverbs  of  the 


MEMOIR    OB^    SFEXSKR.  Iv 

people.  A  similar  want  of  concentration  is  the  fault  of 
his  descriptions,  which  are  often  lively  and  splendid, 
seldom  striking  and  picturesque.  They  do  not  seize 
on  the  characteristic  feature  of  the  subject,  and  conse- 
quently make  only  a  vague  impression  on  persons  of 
ordinary  imagination.  His  pictures  are  vivid  without 
being  sharply  defined,  and  are  adapted  less  to  the 
focus  of  common  vision  than  to  that  of  the  poetical 
eye,  Avhich  is  naturally  constituted  to  correct  such  a 
defect. 

But  if  Spenser's  imagination  was  not  comprehen- 
sive, precise,  and  bold,  it  was  fertile,  rich,  and  various. 
If  he  was  destitute  of  profound  passion  and  warm 
sympathy  with  his  kind,  he  manifests  a  natural  gen- 
tleness, a  noble  sentiment,  and  an  exquisite  moral 
purity,  which  thoroughly  engage  our  interest  and  our 
esteem.  The  most  characteristic  quality  of  his  mind 
is  undoubtedly  sensibility  to  beauty.  This  may  ac- 
count for  whatever  want  of  originaUty  there  may 
seem  to  be  in  his  compositions,  and  for  his  dealing  so 
little  with  real  human  concerns.  Such  a  susceptibility 
would  lead  him  to  repose,  rather  than  to  action ;  to 
accept  readily  traditions  of  all  sorts;  to  stand  aloof 
from  the  harsh  and  vulgar  facts  of  actual  life ;  to  linger 
amon"'  the  mellow  scenes  of  the  past  and  in  the  twi- 
light  realms  of  foncy ;  to  dream  over  the  ruins  of  tmie, 
obsolete  institutions,  and  creeds  outworn.  jMost  pe- 
culiar is  the  modification  which  this  faculty,  combined 
with  moral  purity,  gives  to  his  love  of  woman,  ^'o- 
iuptuous  though  this  be,  it  is  ever  controlled  and 
chastened  by  a  predominant  feeling  of  the  beauty  of 
holuiess. 

^ou  I.  6 


Ivi  MEMOIR    OF    SPEXSER. 

Spenser's  most  extraordinary  power  is  that  of  lan- 
guage, the  power  of  conveying  impressions  by  sounds. 
It  is  through  the  ear  more  than  the  eye  that  he 
achieves  his  triumphs,  and  lie  makes  up  by  his  mas- 
tery over  this  art  for  many  other  deficiencies.  The 
pathos  of  his  verse  affects  us  when  his  sentiments  do 
not.  In  him  more  than  in  any  other  of  our  poets  do 
music  and  sweet  poetry  agree ;  one  of  the  arts  is  com- 
plementary to  the  other,  and  he  produces  some  of  the 
effects  of  both.  No  instrument  known  before  his 
time  was  capable  of  expressing  his  deep  and  complex 
harmonies,  and  he  invented  ^  one  which  many  a  genius 
has  since  touched  skilfully,  but  none  with  the  hand  of 
the  master,  who,  through  nearly  four  thousand  stanzas, 
adapted  it  to  a  great  variety  of  subjects  and  proved  it 
equal  to  all.  If  we  consider  that  a  peculiar  organiza- 
tion is  necessary  for  the  appreciation  of  melody,  we 
shall  not  wonder  at  the  widely  different  estimate 
u^hich  is  put  upon  Spenser  even  by  persons  of  po- 
etical taste.  He  has  most  justly  been  called  "  the 
poets'  jjoet."  Historically,  nothing  can  be  more  true. 
Milton,  Dryden,  Cowley,  Thomson,  Pope,  Gray, 
Southey,  Keats,  and  we  know  not  how  many  more, 
formed  or  nourished  themselves  on  his  strains.  It 
was  not  so  much  for  the  visions  he  unveiled  to  their 
eyes,  as  for  the  deep  delight  his  music  gave  to  ears  so 
finely  touched.     "  He  will  not  be  adequately  appreci- 


1  The  Spenserian  stanza  agrees  exactly  through  eight  lines  with 
that  used  by  Dunbar  in  "  The  l\Ierle  and  the  Nightingale."  Spen- 
ser's invention  consisted  in  adding  an  Alexandrine,  which  gave  the 
stanza  a  new  chai'acter.  See  Craik's  Spenser  and  his  Poetry,  Vol. 
UI.  p.  129. 


MEMOIU    OF    SPENSKK.  Ivii 

ated  or  enjoyed  by  those  who  regard  verse  either  as 
a  non-essential  or  as  a  very  subordinate  element  of 
poetry.     Such    minds,  however,  must  miss  half  the 

charm  of  all  poetry, of  which  verse  is  as  much 

one  of  the  necessary  constituents  as  passion  or  imagi- 
nation itself.  Those  who  dispute  this  will  never  be 
able  to  prove  more  than  that  their  own  enjoyment  of 
the  sensuous  part  of  poetry,  which  is  really  that  in 
which  its  peculiar  character  resides,  is  hmited  or  fee- 
ble ;  which  it  may  very  well  be  in  minds  otherwise 
highly  gifted,  and  even  endowed  with  considerable  im- 
aginative  power.  The  feeling  of  the  merely  beautiful, 
however,  or  of  beauty  unimpregnated  by  something  of 
a  moral  spirit  or  meaning,  is  not  likely  in  such  minds 
to  be  very  deep  or  strong."  ^ 

Of  the  Fairy  Queen  we  will  not  attempt  to  speak 
in  particular,  purposmg  now  to  leave  that  office  to 
Campbell.  Some  reasons  why  this  great  poem  should 
not  be  popular  will  appear  from  what  has  already 
been  said ;  but  that  it  should  be  the  bugbear  it  has 
been  to  the  lovers  of  poetry  is  very  unfortunate,  and 
is  partly  the  fault  of  the  editors.  Let  him  who  would 
derive  from  the  Fairy  Queen  the  pleasure  it  is  capable 
of  affording  skip  the  preliminary  essays  of  Hughes, 
Spence,  Warton,  Upton,  and  Hurd,  and  give  as  little 
heed  as  may  be  to  the  notes  of  this  and  every  other 
edition.  The  Fairy  Queen  "  is  vision  unrolled  after 
vision  to  the  sound  of  endlessly  varying  music."  Let 
him  not  trouble  himself,  therefore,  about  its  architec- 


l  See  Craik's  "Literature  and  Learning  in  England,"  Vol.  UI. 
pp.  100  - 102,  where  are  excellent  remarks  on  Spenser. 


Iviii  MEMOIR    OF   SPENSER. 

ture,  and  seek  to  reduce  it  to  rules  of  symmetry,  or  to 
any  other  rules  save  those  of  a  castle  in  the  air.  Let 
him  not  concern  himself  about  the  allegory,  which  was 
dark  enough  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  and  has 
since  become  in  many  places  impenetrable.  Let  him 
be  content  to  enjoy  Avhat  others  misunderstand,  and 
grateful  if  a  revelation  should  be  made  to  his  inward 
eye  of  two  meanings,  where  most  readers  perceive, 
and  the  author  haply  intended,  only  one,  let  him  leave 
such  discoveries  to  inspiration,  nor  be  tempted  to  con- 
sider things  too  curiously.  Let  him  pass  over  what 
he  does  not  like.  Spenser  will  never  be  read  at  all, 
if  he  is  to  be  diligently  perused  like  the  standard  his- 
tories. "  Much  depends,"  says  Charles  Lamb,  "  upon 
when  and  where  you  read  a  book.  In  the  five  or  six 
impatient  minutes  before  the  dinner  is  quite  ready,  who 
would  think  of  taking  up  the  Fairy  Queen  for  a  stop- 
gap ?  "  Select  rather  a  June  morning,  %vhen  the  bril- 
liant white  clouds  are  sailing  slowly  through  a  blue 
sky,  a  grassy  bank  under  a  tree,  looking  down  a  long 
valley  with  broken  hills  in  the  distance  ;  let  mind  and 
body  both  be  at  ease,  and  both  disposed  to  dream,  but 
not  to  sleep,  and  when  the  influences  of  nature  have 
had  their  due  eftect,  open,  if  you  please,  at  the  middle 
of  the  Legend  of  Sir  Guyon. 


"  Among  the  numerous  poets  belonging  exclusively 
to  Elizabeth's  reign,"  says  Campbell,  *'  Spenser  stands 

without  a  class  and  without  a  rival He  brought 

I'o  the  subject  of  the  Fairy  Queen  a  new  and    en- 
larged structure  of  stanza,  elaborate  and  intricate,  but 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  lix 

well  contrived  for  sustaining  the  attention  of  the  ear, 

and  conchiding  with  a  majestic  cadence His 

command  of  imagery  is  wide,  easy,  and  luxuriant. 
He  threw  the  soul  of  harmony  into  our  verse,  and 
made  it  more  warmly,  tenderly,  and  magnificently  de- 
scriptive, than  it  ever  was  before,  or,  with  a  few  ex- 
ceptions, than  it  has  ever  been  since.  It  must  certainly 
be  owned,  that  in  description  he  exhibits  nothing  of 
the  brief  strokes  and  robust  power  which  characterize 
the  very  greatest  poets;  but  we  shall  nowhere  lind 
more  airy  and  expansive  images  of  visionary  things, 
a  sweeter  tone  of  sentiment,  or  a  finer  flush  in  the 
colors  of  language,  than  in  this  Rubens  of  English 
poetry.  His  fancy  teems  exuberantly  in  minuteness 
of  circumstance,  like  a  fertile  soil  sending  bloom  and 
verdure  through  the  utmost  extremities  of  the  foliage 
which  it  nourishes.  On  a  comprehensive  view  of  the 
whole  work,  we  certainly  miss  the  charm  of  strength, 
symmetry,  and  rapid  or  interesting  progress ;  for, 
though  the  plan  which  the  poet  designed  is  not  com- 
pleted, it  is  easy  to  see  that  no  additional  cantos  could 
have  rendered  it  less  perplexed.  But  still  there  is  a 
richness  in  his  materials,  even  where  their  coherence 
is  loose,  and  their  disposition  confused.  The  clouds 
of  his  allegory  may  seem  to  spread  into  shapeless 
forms,  but  they  are  still  the  clouds  of  a  glowing  at- 
mosphere. Though  his  story  grows  desultory,  the 
sweetness  and  grace  of  his  manner  still  abide  by  him. 
He  is  like  a  speaker  whose  tones  continue  to  be  pleas- 
ing, though  he  may  speak  too  long ;  or  like  a  painter 
who  makes  us  forget  the  defect  of  his  design  by  the 
magic  of  his  coloring.     We  always  rise  from  perusing 


Ix  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

him  with  melody  in  the  mind's  ear,  and  vvitli  pictures 
of  romantic  beauty  impressed  on  the  imagination. 
For  these  attractions  the  Fairy  Queen  will  ever  con- 
tinue to  be  resorted  to  by  the  poetical  student.  It  is 
not,  however,  very  popularly  read,  and  seldom  per- 
haps from  beginning  to  end,  even  by  those  who  can 
fully  appreciate  its  beauties.  This  cannot  be  ascribed 
merely  to  its  presenting  a  few  words  which  are  now 
obsolete ;  nor  can  it  be  owing,  as  has  been  sometimes 
alleged,  to  the  tedium  inseparable  from  protracted 
allegory.  Allegorical  fable  may  be  made  entertaining. 
With  every  disadvantage  of  dress  and  language,  the 
humble  John  Bunyan  has  made  this  species  of  writing 
very  amusing. 

"  The  reader  may  possibly  smile  at  the  names  of 
Spenser  and  Bunyan  being  brought  foi'ward  for  a 
moment  in  comparison ;  but  it  is  chiefly  because  the 
humbler  allegorist  is  so  poor  in  language,  that  his 
power  of  interesting  the  curiosity  is  entitled  to  admi- 
ration. We  are  told  by  critics  that  the  passions  may 
be  allegorized,  but  that  Holiness,  Justice,  and  other 
such  thin  abstractions  of  the  mind,  are  too  unsubstan- 
tial machinery  for  a  poet ;  —  yet  we  all  know  how 
well  the  author  of  the  Pilgrim's  Progress  (and  he 
was  a  poet  though  he  wrote  in  prose)  has  managed 
such  abstractions  as  Mercy  and  Fortitude.  In  his 
artless  hands,  those  attributes  cease  to  be  abstractions, 
and  become  our  most  intimate  friends.  Had  Spen- 
ser, with  all  the  wealth  and  graces  of  his  fancy,  given 
his  story  a  more  implicit  and  animated  form,  I  cannot 
uelieve  that  there  was  anything  in  the  nature  of  his 
machinery  to  set  bounds  to  his  power  of  enchantment. 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  1X1 

Yet,  delicious  as  his  poetry  is,  his  story,  considered  as 
a  romance,  is  obscure,  intricate,  and  monotonous.  He 
translated  entire  cantos  from  Tasso,  but  adopted  the 
wild  and  irregular  manner  of  Ariosto.  The  diifer- 
ence  is  that  Spenser  appears,  like  a  civilized  being, 
slow,  and  sometimes  half  forlorn,  in  exploring  an  un- 
inhabited countiy,  while  Ariosto  traverses  the  regions 
of  romance  like  a  hardy  native  of  its  pathless  wilds. 
Hurd  and  others,  who  forbid  us  to  judge  of  the 
Fairy  Queen  by  the  test  of  classical  unity,  and  who 
compare  it  to  a  Gothic  church,  or  a  Gothic  garden, 
tell  us  what  is  little  to  the  purpose.  They  cannot 
persuade  us  that  the  story  is  not  too  intricate  and  too 
diffuse.  The  thread  of  the  narrative  is  so  entangled, 
that  the  poet  saw  the  necessity  for  explaining  the  de- 
sign of  his  poem  in  prose,  in  a  letter  to  Sir  AValter 
Raleigh;  and  the  perspicuity  of  a  poetical  design 
which  requires  such  an  explanation  may,  with  no 
great  severity,  be  pronounced  a  contradiction  in  terms. 
It  is  degrading  to  poetry,  we  shall  perhaps  be  told,  to 
attach  importance  to  the  mere  story  which  it  relates. 
Certainly  the  poet  is  not  a  great  one,  whose  only 
charm  is  the  management  of  his  fable ;  but  where 
there  is  a  fable,  it  should  be  perspicuous. 

"There  is  one  peculiarity  in  the  Fairy  Queen 
which,  though  not  a  deeply  pervading  defect,  I  cannot 
help  considering  as  an  incidental  blemish;  namely, 
that  the  allegory  is  doubled  and  crossed  with  compli- 
mentary allusions  to  living  or  recent  personages,  and 
\hat  the  agents  are  partly  historical  and  partly  alle- 
gorical. In  some  instances  the  characters  have  a 
threefold  allusion.     Gloriana  is  at  once  an  emblem  of 


Ixii  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

true  glory,  an  empress  of  Fairy -land,  and  her  Majesty 
Queen  Elizabeth.  Envy  is  a  personified  passion,  and 
also  a  witch,  and,  with  no  very  charitable  insinua- 
tion, a  type  of  the  unfortunate  Mary  Queen  of  Scots. 
The  knight  in  dangerous  distress  is  Henry  the  Fourth 
of  France ;  and  the  knight  of  magnificence.  Prince 
Arthur,  the  son  of  Uther  Pendragon,  an  ancient  Brit- 
ish hero,  is  the  bulwark  of  the  Protestant  cause  in  the 
Netherlands.  Such  distraction  of  allegory  cannot 
well  be  said  to  make  a  fair  experiment  of  its  power. 
The  poet  may  cover  his  moral  meaning  under  a  sin- 
gle and  transparent  veil  of  fiction  ;  but  he  has  no  right 
to  muffle  it  up  in  foldings  which  hide  the  form  and 
symmetry  of  truth. 

"  Upon  the  whole,  if  I  may  presume  to  measure 
the  imperfections  of  so  great  and  venerable  a  genius, 
I  think  we  may  say  that,  if  his  popularity  be  less  than 
universal  and  complete,  it  is  not  so  much  owing  to  his 
obsolete  language,  nor  to  degeneracy  of  modern  taste, 
nor  to  his  choice  of  allegory  as  a  subject,  as  to  the 
want  of  that  consolidating  and  crowning  strength, 
which  alone  can  establish  works  of  fiction  in  the  fa- 
vor of  all  readers  and  of  all  ages.  This  w^ant  of 
strength,  it  is  but  justice  to  say,  is  either  solely  or 
chiefly  apparent  when  we  examine  the  entire  struct- 
ure of  his  poem,  or  so  large  a  portion  of  it  as  to 
feel  that  it  does  not  impel  or  sustain  our  curiosity 
in  proportion  to  its  length.  To  the  beauty  of  insu- 
lated passages  who  can  be  blind?  The  sublime 
description  of  '  Him  who  ivith  the  Night  durst  ride,' 
'  The  House  of  Riches,'  '  The  Canto  of  Jealousy,' 
'  The  Masque  of  Cupid,'  and  other  parts,  too  many 


MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER.  Ixiii 

to  enumerate,  are  so  splendid,  that,  after  reading  them, 
we  feel  it  for  the  moment  invidious  to  ask  if  they  are 
symmetrically  united  into  a  whole.  Succeeding  gen- 
erations have  acknowledged  the  pathos  and  richness 
of  his  strains,  and  the  new  contour  and  enlarged  di- 
mensions of  grace  which  he  gave  to  English  poetrj-. 
He  is  the  poetical  father  of  a  Milton  and  a  Thomson. 
Gray  habitually  read  him  when  he  wished  to  frame- 
his  thoughts  for  composition,  and  there  are  few  emi- 
nent poets  in  the  language  who  have  not  been  essen- 
tially indebted  to  him. 

'  Hither,  as  to  their  fountain,  other  stars 
Reoair,  and  in  their  iims  draw  golden  light' " 


APPENDIX. 


SPENSER'S   DESCENDANTS  AND   FAMILY  CONNEC- 
TIONS.* 

The  first  investigation  which  this  subject  received  was  from 
Dr.  Birch,  in  his  Life  of  Spenser,  prefixed  to  the  edition  of  the 
Fairy  Queen,  published  in  3  vols.,  4to,  in  1751.  Some  important 
additional  particulars  were  added  by  George  Chalmers,  in  his 
"  Supplemental  Apology  for  the  Believers  in  the  Shakespeare 
Papers,"  1799.  All  Birch's  and  Chalmers's  statements  are  incor- 
porated, along  with  some  further  information,  in  Mr.  Todd's  Life 
of  the  Poet,  prefixed  to  his  edition  of  his  works  in  8  vols.,  8vo, 
1805.  Other  facts  have  since  been  communicated  by  Mr.  T. 
Crofton  Croker,  in  his  "  Researches  in  the  South  of  Ireland,"  4to, 
1824;  by  Mr.  J.  Hardiman,  in  his  "Irish  Minstrelsey,"  2  vols., 
8vo,  1831;  by  the  Rev.  J.  Mitford,  in  the  Life  prefixed  to  the 
edition  of"  Spenser's  Poetical  Works  "  in  5  vols.,  8vo,  1839;  and 
by  Mr.  F.  C.  Spenser,  of  Halifax,  in  a  paper  printed  in  the  Gen- 
tleman's Magazine  for  August,  1842. 

The  entire  number  of  the  descendants  of  Edmund  Spenser, 
mentioned  in  these  various  accounts,  amounts  to  above  twenty; 
but  at  least  six  or  seven  of  them  must  be  considered  as  very 
doubtful.     We  will  enumerate  them  in  their  order:  — 

1.  Sylvaitus  Spenser  is  admitted,  on  all  hands,  to  have  been 
the  eldest  son  of  Edmund  Spenser  and  his  wife,  of  whom  we  know 
only  that  her  name  was  Elizabeth.  It  appeare  from  a  curious 
document,  of  which  Mr.  Hardiman  has  given  an  abstract  from  the 
original  in  the  Rolls  Ofiice,  Dublin,  that  before  the  year  1603  the 
poet's  widow  had  contracted  a  second  marriage  Avith  one  Roger 
Seckerstone.  The  document  in  which  this  fact  is  stated  is  a 
petition  from  Sjdvanus  Spenser  to  the  Lord  Chancellor  of  Ireland, 
representing  that  the  evidences  of  his  late  father's  lands  of  Kilcol- 

•  From  Craik's  "  Spenser,  and  his  Poetry,"  Vol.  III.  p.  243. 


APPENDIX.  IxV 

man,  and  others,  to  which  he  was  heir,  were  unjustly  withheld 
from  him  by  his  mother  and  her  new  husband,  and  praying  reme- 
dy. Sylvaniis  Spenser  mai-ried  Ellen,  eldest  daughter  of  David 
Nangle,  or  Nagle,  of  Moneanyray,  and  of  Ellen  Roche,  daugliter 
of  William  Roche,  of  Ballyhowly.  Both  these  estates  are  in  the 
county  of  Cork;  Moneanymy,  or  Jlonanj'my,  lying  a  little  way 
south  from  Kilcolman.  Both  the  Nagles  and  the  Roches  were 
Roman  Catholic  families;  and  this  connection,  as  will  be  seen, 
had  an  important  influence  upon  the  fate  of  the  Spensers.  The 
mother  of  Edmund  Burke,  we  may  notice  in  passing,  who  was  a 
Miss  Nagle,  and  a  Catholic  lady,  is  said  to  have  been  the  grand- 
niece  of  this  wife  of  Sylvanus  Spenser;  and  perhaps  the  great 
orator  derived  his  Christian  name  in  this  way  from  the  great  poet. 
Sylvanus  Spenser,  who  was  probably  born  in  1595,  died  before 
1638 ;  and  left,  according  to  the  common  account,  two  sons,  Ed- 
mund and  William,  but  according  to  the  pedigree  drawn  up  by 
Sir  William  Betham,  and  published  in  Mr.  F.  C.  Spenser's  paper, 
also  a  third  named  Nathaniel. 

2.  Lawrence  Spenser,  of  Bandon  Bridge,  in  the  county  of 
Cork,  second  son  of  the  poet,  is  mentioned  only  by  Sir  W.  Betham, 
according  to  whom  he  died  before  1654,  and  is  not  known  to  have 
left  any  descendants,  or  to  have  been  married. 

3.  Peregrine  Spenser,  youngest  son  of  the  poet,  was  mar- 
ried; his  eldest  brother  Sylvanus  having,  "  in  order,"  as  is  stated, 
"  to  prefer  him  in  marriage,"  made  over  to  him  a  part  of  the  estate 
which  he  inherited  from  his  father,  namely,  the  lands  of  Binny,  or 
Renny,  near  Kilcolman.  According  to  Mr.  Hardiman  he  died  in 
1641;  but  Mr.  Todd  refers  to  a  manuscript  in  the  Library  of 
Trinity  College,  Dublin,  in  which  he  is  described  on  the  4th  of 
May,  1642,  as  "  a  Protestant,  resident  about  the  barony  of  Fer- 
moy,  and  so  impoverished  by  the  troubles  as  to  be  unable  to  pay 
his  debts."     He  left  a  son,  Hugolin. 

4.  Catherine  Spensee,  eldest  daughter  of  the  poet,  is  men- 
tioned only  by  Sir  W.  Betham,  who  places  her  between  Sylvanus 
and  Lawrence,  and  marries  her  to  William  Wiseman,  of  Baudon 
Bridge,  but  assigns  her  no  descendants. 

5.  Edmund  Spenser,  eldest  son  of  Sylvanus,  had  his  estates 
erected  into  the  manor  of  Kilcolman,  by  roy.al  letters  patent  con- 
firmatory, on  the  18th  of  February,  1638  (to  remedy  defective 
titles).  He  undoubtedly  died  unmarried,  or  at  least  without 
teaving  any  descendants,  although  the  pedigree  drawu  up  by  Sir 


Ixvi  MEMOIR    OF    Sl'ENSER. 

W.  Betham,  probably  by  an  error  in  the  way  in  which  it  is  printed 
in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  assigns  to  him  the  children  of  his 
brother  William. 

6.  William  Spenser,  second  son  of  Sylvanus,  became  his 
elder  brother's  heir.  Mr.  Hardiman  has  printed  from  the  Irish 
Privy  Council  Book,  preserved  in  Dublin  Castle,  the  following  in- 
teresting letter  from  Cromwell,  dated  Whitehall,  27th  March,  1657 : 
—  "  To  our  right  trusty  and  right  well-beloved  our  Council  in  Ire- 
land: A  petition  hath  been  exhibited  unto  us  by  William  Spenser, 
setting  forth,  that,  being  but  seven  years  old  at  the  beginning  of 
the  rebellion  in  Ireland  [1641],  he  repaired  with  his  mother  (his 
father  being  then  dead)  to  the  city  of  Cork,  and  during  the  rebel- 
lion continued  in  the  English  quarters.  That  he  never  bore  arms 
or  acted  against  the  Commonwealth  of  England.  That  his  grand- 
father Edmund  Spenser,  and  his  father,  were  both  Protestants, 
from  whom  an  estate  of  lands  in  the  barony  of  Fermoy,  in  the 
county  of  Cork,  descended  on  him,  which,  during  the  rebellion, 
yielded  him  Uttle  or  nothing  towards  his  relief.  That  the  said 
estate  hath  been  lately  given  out  to  the  soldiers  in  satisfaction  of 
their  arrears,  only  upon  the  account  of  his  professing  the  Popish 
religion,  which,  since  his  coming  to  years  of  discretion,  he  hath, 
as  he  professes,  utterly  renounced.  That  his  grandfather  was  that 
Spenser  who,  by  his  writings  touching  the  reduction  of  the  Irish 
to  civility,  brought  on  him  the  odium  of  that  nation;  and  for 
those  works,  and  his  other  good  services,  Queen  Elizabeth  con- 
ferred on  him  the  estate  which  the  said  William  Spenser  now 
claims.  We  have  also  been  informed  that  the  gentleman  is  of 
civil  conversation,  and  that  the  extremity  his  wants  have  brought 
him  to  have  not  prevailed  over  him  to  put  him  upon  indirect  or 
evil  practices  for  a  livelihood.  And,  if  upon  inquiry  you  shall  find 
his  case  to  be  such,  we  judge  it  just  and  reasonable,  and  do  there 
fore  desire  and  authorize  you,  that  he  be  forthwith  restored  to  his 
estate,  and  that  repi'isal  lands  be  given  to  the  soldiers  elsewhere ; 
in  the  doing  whereof  our  satisfaction  will  be  greater  by  the  con- 
tinuation of  that  estate  to  the  issue  of  his  gi-andfather,  for  whose 
eminent  deserts  and  services  to  the  commonwealth  that  estate  was 
first  given  him.  We  rest  your  loving  friend,  Oliver  P."  The 
estate  of  Kilcolman  was,  in  fact,  restored  to  William  Spenser; 
but,  as  far  as  we  can  make  out,  not  till  after  the  Restoration. 
And  he  had  afterwards  a  royal  grant,  dated  31st  July,  1678,  of 
other  lands  in  the  counties  of  Galway  and  Roscommon,  to  the 


APPENDIX.  Ixvii 

extent  of  nearly  two  thousand  acres.  Ballinasloe,  at  a  later  date 
so  famous  for  its  fair,  was  one  of  tlie  properties  he  obtained  in 
Roscommon.  At  the  Revolution  he  joined  King  William,  and  is 
stated  in  a  representation  of  his  claims,  which  appears  to  have 
been  drawn  up  about  1700  or  1701,  to  have  rendered  important 
public  services  by  acting  as  a  guide  to  the  Earl  of  Athlone,  in  his 
military  operations  after  the  battle  of  the  Boyne.  For  the  part  he 
took,  it  is  affirmed,  "  he  had  300  head  of  black  cattle  and  1,500 
sheep  taken  from  him ;  his  family  was  stript,  his  house  plundered, 
and  his  only  son  had  above  twenty  wounds  given  him  by  the  Irish 
army."  In  consideration,  it  is  added,  of  these  services  and  suf- 
ferings, his  Majesty,  in  1697,  granted  him  the  forfeited  estate  of 
his  cousin  Hugolin,  who  had  taken  the  opposite  side,  being  the 
same  lands  of  Renny,  near  Kilcolman,  which  had  been  made  over 
to  Hugolin's  father.  Peregrine,  by  his  elder  brother  Sylvanus,  the 
father  of  this  William.  The  interference,  however,  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  appointed  by  Parhament  in  1700  to  determine  the 
validity  of  these  gi-ants  by  the  crown  of  Irish  forfeited  estates,  pre- 
vented his  deriving  any  benefit  from  the  royal  bounty,  till  he 
came  over  to  England  to  urge  his  suit,  when  he  obtained  a  con- 
firmation of  the  grant  through  the  influence  of  Congreve,  the  poet, 
who  took  an  interest  in  him,  and  introduced  him  to  Montague 
(afterwards  Earl  of  Halifax),  then  at  the  head  of  the  Treasury. 
Dr.  Birch  describes  him  as  a  man  somewhat  advanced  in  years. 
According  to  Mr.  Hardiman's  account,  the  grant  in  1697,  of  Hu- 
golin's forfeited  estate,  which  extended  to  332  acres,  was  to  the 
son  of  this  William.  They  were  probably  both  included.  On  the 
24th  of  November,  in  the  same  year,  the  father  and  son  mortgaged 
all  their  estates  in  Cork,  Galway,  and  Roscommon,  for  the  sum 
of  £2,100;  and  on  the  21st  of  February,  1716,  they  sold  the  lands 
of  Balhnasloe  to  Frederic  French,  ancestor  of  their  present  pos- 
sessor, the  Earl  of  Clancarty.  William  Spenser,  the  date  of  whose 
death  is  not  stated,  left,  by  his  wife  Barbara,  one  son,  Nathaniel, 
and  one  daughter,  Susannah. 

7.  Rev.  Nathaniel  Spenser,  of  Ballycanon,  in  the  county 
of  Waterford,  clerk,  third  son  of  Sylvanus  Spenser,  is  mentioned 
only  by  Sir  W.   Betham,  who  states  that  he  died  intestate,  m 

1669;  having  married  Margaret,  daughter  of Dean,  Esq.,  by 

whom,  however,  he  appears  to  have  had  no  issue. 

8.  Hugolin  Spensee,  son  of  Peregrine,  the  poet's  youngest 
son,  is  supposed  to  have  forfeited  the  lands  of  Reuny,  that  would 


Ixviii  JIEMOIR   OF   SPENSER. 

otherwise  have  descended  to  him  from  his  father,  by  engaging  in 
the  rebellion  of  1641  with  his  Catholic  relations,  the  Nagles  and 
Roches.  He  appears  to  have  been  a  Catholic  himself;  the  proper- 
ty, however,  was  restored  to  him  after  the  Restoration  by  the  Act 
of  Settlement  of  1663.  But  he  forfeited  it  a  second  time,  as  we 
have  seen,  by  siding  with  King  James  at  the  Revolution,  and  it 
then  came  into  the  possession  of  his  cousin  William.  He  himself 
was  outlawed,  and  it  does  not  appear  to  be  known  what  became 
of  him. 

9.  Nathaniel  Spenser  (2),  styled  of  Eenny  (that  small  prop- 
erty being  apparently  all  that  now  remained  in  the  family),  the 
only  son  of  William,  made  his  will  on  the  14th  of  October,  1718, 
wherein  he  mentions  three  sons,  Edmund,  Nathaniel,  and  Joim, 
and  a  daughter,  Barbara.  His  wife's  Christian  name  was  Rosa- 
mond. He  died  in  or  about  1734 ;  "  and  soon  after  this,"  says  Mr. 
Hardiman,  "  the  rest  of  the  property  passed  away  from  the  poet's 
name  and  family.     The  latter  has  long  since  become  extinct." 

10.  Sdsannah,  or  Susan,  Spenser,  daughter  of  William.  Of 
her  nothing  is  known,  except  that  she  is  mentioned  in  her  brother's 

will. 

11.  Edmund  Spenser  (2),  of  Kenny,  eldest  son  of  Nathaniel 
(2),  married  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Freeman,  of  Ballinquil,  in  the 
county  of  Cork,  Esq. 

12.  Nathaniel  Spenser  (3),  second  son  of  Nathaniel  (2). 

13.  John  Spenser,  third  son  of  Nathaniel  (2).* 

14.  Barbara  Spenser,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  (2;. 

15.  Edmund  Spenser  (3),  called  of  Mallow,  stated  by  Mr. 
Todd,  from  the  information  of  j\Ir.  Joseph  Cooper  Walker,  to  have 
been  when  he  wrote  (in  1805)  yet  remembered  m  Dublin  as  a 


•  yVe  find  in  an  interesting  article  on  "  Tlie  Irish  Kivers,"  in  the 
Dublin  University  Magazine  for  October,  1845,  an  extract  from  a  work 
called  "  A  Guide  to  the  Blackwater,"  by  Mr.  O'Flanagan,  in  which  it  is 
stated  that  "  the  last  of  the  Spensers  of  whom  we  have  an  authentic  ac- 
count "  lived  at  Renny,  or  Rinny,  and  had  contracted  an  intimacy  with 
his  housekeeper,  from  which  she  inferred  that  he  meant  to  marry  her ; 
and  that  this  woman,  who  was  also  employed  by  her  master  as  his  barber, 
cut  his  throat  while  shaving  him  on  the  morning  of  the  day  on  wliieli  he 
was  to  have  been  married  to  a  lady  in  the  neighborhood.  "  In  the  small 
antique  dwelling  at  Rinney,"  it  is  added,  "  is  pointed  out  the  room  in 
which  she  did  the  lieed."  Was  this  Nathaniel  Spenser,  the  12th,  or  John 
Spenser,  the  13th  ? 


APPENDIX.  Ixix 

lineal  descendant  of  the  poet.  This  is,  no  doubt,  the  same  person 
who  is  mentioned  by  a  writer  in  the  "  Anthologia  Hibernica,"  in 
1793,  as  having  been  resident  a  few  years  before  at  Mallow,  and 
as  having  been  "  in  possession  of  an  original  portrait  of  the  poet, 
which  he  valued  so  highly  as  to  refuse  £  500,  which  had  been 
offered  for  it,  with  many  curious  records  and  papers  concerning 
his  venerable  ancestor."  We  have  no  account,  however,  of  the 
links  of  his  ancestral  descent.  It  is  possible  that  he  may  be  the 
same  person  already  mentioned  as  Edmund  Spenser  (2). 

16.  Mrs.  Bur>;e,  daughter  ot  this  Edmund  Spenser  of  JIallow, 
married  to  Mr.  Diirne,  who,  when  Todd  wi-ute,  filled,  or  had  lately 
filled,  some  office  in  the  English  Custom-House.  She,  too,  was 
said  to  have  an  original  picture  of  the  poet;  but  an  inquiry  after 
it  was  not  attended  with  success. 

17.  Mrs.  Sherlock,  of  Cork,  mentioned  by  Mr.  Crofton 
Croker,  on  his  own  recollection,  as  residing  in  that  city  not  more 
than  six  or  seven  years  before  he  wrote  (1824),  who  used  frequent- 
ly to  boast  of  her  descent  from  Spenser,  "  and,"  adds  Jlr.  Croker, 
"  I  have  been  told,  possessed  his  picture,  which  she  had  more  than 
once  refused  to  dispose  of,  though  by  no  means  in  affluent  cir- 
cumstances." 

18.  John  Spenser  (2),  of  Youghal.  Mr.  Mitford  has  printed 
at  the  end  of  his  Life  of  Spenser  a  letter,  dated  from  7  Grove 
Terrace,  York,  22d  July,  1839,  and  signed,  Robert  Rouiere 
Pearce,  in  which  it  is  asserted  that  the  person  who  came  over  in 
the  reign  of  King  William  to  claim  Spenser's  estate  (it  should  be 
the  estate  of  Hugolin  Spenser)  was  John  Spenser,  Esq.  of  Youghal; 
that  this  person  not  only  raised  a  troop  of  horse  at  his  own  ex- 
pense for  King  William,  at  the  head  of  which  he  fell  mortally 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Boyne,  but  "  lent  his  Protestant 
sovereign  a  considerable  sum  of  money,"  "which,"  adds  the 
writer,  '*  as  far  as  I  know,  has  never  been  repaid  " ;  that  the  fact 
of  his  death  in  the  manner  stated  is  recorded  on  a  tablet  in  St. 
Mary's  Cohegiate  Church,  Youghal;  and  that  a  copy  of  his  will 
still  exists  in  the  hands  of  the  writer's  mother,  his  descendant. 
It  is  quite  certain  that  the  claimant  who  came  over  to  England 
after  the  Revolution  was  William  Spenser  of  Kilcolinan;  nor  have 
we  any  evidence  that  this  John  Spenser  of  Youghal,  if  such  a 
person  existed,  was  any  descendant  of  the  poet.  No  known  ac- 
count or  pedigree  of  the  family  contains  such  a  rame.  Still  Mr. 
Pearce  may  have  some  evidence  in  proof  of  his  assertion  which  he 
has  not  produced. 


\XK  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

19.  Mrs.  Day,  asserted  by  Mr.  R.  R.  Pearce  to  have  been  the 
daughter  and  heir  of  John  Spenser  (2)  of  Youghal. 

20.  Thomas  Day,  son  of  this  Mrs.  Day. 

21.  John  Day,  son  of  Thomas. 

22.  Mrs.  Pearce,  only  daughter  and  surviving  child  of  John 
Day. 

23.  Robert  Rouiere  Pearce,  son  of  Mrs.  Pearce. 

To  this  list  of  names  it  may  be  added,  that  Dr.  Birch,  writing 
m  1751,  states  that  some  of  the  descendants  of  Spenser  were  then 
remaining  in  the  county  of  Cork.  And,  in  a  communication 
dated  the  Bth  of  June  in  the  present  year  (1845),  Mr.  F.  C.  Spen- 
ser of  Halifax  informs  us,  that  he  has  been  for  some  time  in  cor- 
respondence with  a  direct  female  descendant  of  the  poet  in  Ireland, 
through  whose  medium  he  is  in  possession  of  very  important  mat- 
ter connected  with  his  family. 

In  a  subsequent  communication,  Mr.  Spenser  states  a  few  par- 
ticulars respecting  his  own  and  the  poet's  Lancashire  ancestors, 
in  addition  to  those  given  in  his  paper  published  in  the  Gentle- 
man's Magazine.  The  first  of  the  Lancashire  Spensers  is  Adam 
le  Spenser,  of  Hurstwood,  who  begins  the  pedigree  about  1327, 
the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  But  the  same  name, 
Adam  del  Spenser,  is  found  in  Cumberland  (near  Carlisle),  in  the 
reign  of  Edward  II. ;  whence  Mr.  Spenser  infers  that  the  family 
had  probably  come  to  Lancasliire  from  that  qiiarter.  With  re- 
gard to  the  immediate  ancestors  of  the  poet,  and  of  himself,  Mr. 
Spenser  says :  "  I  have  ascertained  the  very  bench  in  the  church 
of  Burnley  occupied  by  the  family,  and,  I  think,  also  their  grave 
within  the  church.  Although  they  are  called  Yeomen  in  the 
Church  Register,  I  find  them  associated  with  the  Townleys  of 
Townley,  and  all  the  first  gentry  of  the  neighborhood,  in  the 
parish  business.  The  armorial  bearings  of  the  family  are  the 
same  as  Lord  Spencer's  and  the  Duke  of  Marlborough's,  with  the 
exception  of  three  fieurs-de-Iis  on  the  bend,  in  place  of  three 
escallop  shells,  the  former  probably  refen-ing  to  services  in  the 
French  wars  of  our  Edwards."  The  property  called  Spensers,  it 
seems,  was  disposed  of  by  John  Spenser,  son  of  Edmund  Spenser, 
in  1690. 

The  onlj'  person  related  to  Spenser,  before  he  had  children  of 
his  own,  of  whom  even  the  Christian  name  has  hitherto  been 
known,  is  his  mother,  and  of  her  we  know  nothing  more  than 
tliat.    The  name  of  his  father  has  not  been  discovered ;  nor  has 


APPENDIX.  Ixxi 

any  of  his  biogi-aphers  stated  whether  he  had  eithoi  sister  oi 
brother.  It  is  certain,  nevertheless,  tliat,  whatever  may  have 
been  the  fate  of  his  own  descendants,  many  of  those  of  his  fatlier 
still  exist,  derived  from  a  sister,  named  Sarah,  who  probably  ac- 
companied the  poet  when  he  first  went  over  to  Ireland  in  1580, 
and  at  any  rate  afterwards  resided  with  him  when  he  settled  at 
Kilcolman.  A  full  and  very  clear  account  of  the  descendants  of 
Sarah  Spenser  and  her  husband  will  be  found  in  the  following  ex- 
tract of  a  communication  with  which  we  have  been  favored  by 
their  representative,  John  Moore  Travers,  Esq.,  of  Clifton,  near 
Cork :  — 

"  The  family  of  Travers  were  settled,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I., 
at  Natesby,  in  Lancashire ;  which  estate  they  held,  in  direct  suc- 
cession from  father  to  son,  till  the  reign  of  Philip  and  Mary;  when 
it  descended  to  Brian  Travers,  who  sold  it  (or  rather  mortgaged 
it)  to  George  Strickland,  who  sold  it  to  a  person  of  the  name  of 
Leyburne.  This  Brian  Travers  afterwards  settled  at  Pill,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Bristol,  having  inherited  the  estate  of  Pill  in 
right  of  his  wife.  He  had  a  son  named  John  Travers,  who  came 
to  Ireland  when  Lord  Grey  de  Wilton  came  over  as  Lord  Lieu- 
tenant; and  he  was  the  first  of  the  family  of  Travers  that  settled 
in  Ireland.  This  John  Travers  married  Sarah  Spenser,  the  sister 
of  Edmund  Spenser  the  poet,  who  granted  to  him,  as  a  marriage 
portion  with  his  sister,  the  Townlands  of  Ardenbane  and  Knock- 
nacaple,  in  Roche's  country,  in  the  county  of  Cork,  which  was 
part  of  3,028  acres  of  land,  part  of  the  forfeited  estate  of  the  Earl 
of  Desmond,  granted  by  Queen  Elizabeth  to  the  said  Edmund 
Spenser;  in  which  grant  Kilcolman  Castle  and  Lake  were  com- 
prised. There  seems  to  have  been  some  doubt  as  to  the  power  of 
Edmund  Spenser  to  convey  away  this  land  to  Travers;  and 
therefore  he  passed  his  bond  to  Travers  for  a  sum  of  money,  by 
way  of  guarantee  of  the  title.  These  lands  appear  to  have  been 
held  bj'  the  second  son  of  John  Travers;  but  they  have  not  con- 
tinued in  his  family.  I  know  not  in  what  way,  or  by  whom, 
they  were  parted  with,  nor  whether  either  the  grant  or  the  bond 
be  in  existence.  But  neither  of  them  is  in  the  possession  of  any 
of  the  family.    ,  ■ 

"  The  above-named  John  Travers  and  Sarah  Spenser,  his  wife, 
had  two  sons ;  namely,  Robert  Travers,  the  eldest,  afterwards  Sir 
Robert  Travers,  who  married  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of  the 
Primate  Boyle  (ancestor  of  the  Earis  of  Cork  and  Orrery  and  the 

^OL.    I.  6 


Ixxii  MEMOIR    OF    SPENSER. 

Earls  of  Shannon),  and  was  Judge  Advocate  in  Ireland  and  Vicar 
General  of  Cork.  Sir  Robert  inherited  and  purchased  several 
estates  in  the  county  of  Cork,  particularly  in  the  baronies  of 
Ibane  and  Barryroc,  and  his  principal  seat,  called  Ballinamona, 
near  Courtraacsherry,  was  situated  in  these  baronies,  the  estates 
m  which  have  ever  since  continued  in  his  family,  and  are  now  in 
my  possession,  as  the  lineal  descendant  of  Sir  Robert.  Sir  Robert 
v/as  killed  at  the  battle  of  Knocknaness,  in  the  county  of  Cork, 
in  the  rebellion  of  1641. 

"  The  second  son  of  John  Travers  and  Sarah  Spenser  was 
Zachary  Travers.  I  do  not  know  whom  he  married;  however, 
he  left  two  sons,  viz.  Walter,  who  was  the  second  Provost  of 
Trinity  College,  Dublin  (having  sucv^eeded  Adam  Loftus,  who  was 
the  first  Provost),  and  John,  who,  having  the  command  of  a  troop 
of  dragoons,  under  Lord  Broghill,  was  killed  in  an  ambuscade,  in 
the  rebellion  of  Ireland,  Jaimary,  1642.  He  left  no  issue;  nor  did 
the  Provost,  Walter,  leave  any.  The  estates  of  Zachary,  which 
had  descended  to  Walter,  he  devised  to  John  Travers,  the  second 
son  of  Sir  Robert  Travers,  who  was  his  first-cousin;  and  these 
estates,  which  were  considerable,  thus  descended  to  John  Travers 
of  Garrycloyne,  now  residing  at  Birchhill,  in  the  county  of 
Cork. 

"  Sir  Robert  Travers  left  two  sons,  Richard  and  John;  and  two 
daughters,  —  Margaret,  who  married  Sir  Richard  Alworth,  the  an- 
cestor of  the  present  Lord  Doneraile;  and  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Sir  John  Meade,  the  ancestor  of  the  present  Earl  of  Clanwilliam. 
Richard  Travers,  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  Robert,  who  was  my  great- 
great-grandfather,  married  Ellen  Stawell.  The  children  of  Sir 
Robert  being  very  j'oung  when  he  was  killed,  many  valuable 
documents  and  records  of  the  family  were  lost,  and  the  title-deeds 
only  were  presen'ed.  Richard  Travers  had  five  sons.  The  eldest, 
Robert,  married  Hester  Hodder;  and  had  Boyle  Travers,  my 
grandfather, '  who  married  Anna-Maria  Moore.  Boyle  Travers 
left  two  sons:  John  Moore  Travers,  who  died  without  issue  male; 
and  Robert  Travers,  my  father,  to  whom  the  estates  in  Ibane  and 
Barryroc  descended,  with  the  family  seat  of  BsiUinamona,  now 
in  my  possession.  Robert  Travers  left  three  sons;  viz.  myself; 
Boyle  Travers,  a  general  in  her  Majesty's  service;  and  Thomas 
Otho  Travers,  a  captain  in  the  service  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany, who  died,  July,  1844,  at  his  seat  of  Leemount  in  the 
county  of  Cork." 


APPENDIX.  Ixxiij 

We  have  to  add,  that  Mr.  Travers's  only  child  is  the  lady  of 
Sir  WiUiara  St.  Lawrence  Clarke,  of  Gloucester  Place,  Portman 
Square,  London 

In  a  subsequent  letter,  Jlr.  Travers  states  that  the  impression 
on  his  mind  is  that  John  Travers  and  Spenser  came  to  Ireland  to- 
gether ;  and  that  they  were  very  probably  related  previously  to 
the  marriage  of  his  ancestor  with  the  poet's  sister. 


THE 


FAERIE    QUEENE. 

DISPOSED    INTO    TWELVE    BOOKS 


FASHIONING 


XII.  MORALL    VERTUES. 


LONDON: 
PRINTED    FOR    WILLIAM    PONSONBIB. 

1590. 


TO    THE   MOST    HIGH   MIGHTIE    AND    MAGNIFICENT 

EMPRESSE 

RBNOWMED    FOR   PIETIE    VERTVE    AND    ALL 
GRATIOVS    GOVERNMENT 

ELIZABETH 

BY  THE  GRACE  OF  GOD  QVEENE  OP  ENGLAND 

FRAVNCE  AND  IRELAND  AND  OF  VIRGINIA 

DEFENDOVR  OF  THE  FAITH  &C 

HER  MOST  HUMBLE  SERVAUNT 

EDMVND   SPENSER 

DOTH    IN    ALL   HDMILITIE 

DEDICATE    PRESENT    AND    CONSECRATE 

THESE    HIS    LABOVRS 

TO    LIVE   WITH    THE    ETERNITIE    OP   HER    FAME. 

*  This  is  the  Dedication  to  tlie  Edition  of  1596. 


TO    THE    MOST    MIGHTIE    AND    MAGNIFICENT 
EMPRESSE    ELIZABETH     BY     THE     GRACE     OF 
GOD  QVEENE   OF  ENGLAND  FRANCE  AJCD  IRE- 
LAND  DEFENDER   OF   THE  FAITH   &C. 


Her  most  humble 


Servant : 


Ed.  Spenser. 


A  LETTER  OF  THE  AUTHORS, 

EXPOUNDING    HIS    WHOLE    INTENTION     IN     THE     COURSE    Or 
THIS    WORKE  :     WHICH,    FOR     THAT     IT    GIVETH    GREAT 
LIGHT    TO    THE    READER,     FOR     THE    BETTER    UN- 
DERSTANDING    IS     HEREUNTO     ANNEXED. 


TO    THE    RIGHT    NOBLE    AND    VALOROUS 

SIR  WALTER  RALEIGH,  knight, 

LO.    WARDEIN    OF     THE     STANNERYES   AND     HER   MA- 
JESTIES   LIEFETENAUNT    OF    THE    COUNTY    OF 
CORNEWAYLL. 

Sir,  knowing  how  doubtfully  all  Allegories  may 
be  construed,  and  this  booke  of  mine,  which  I  have 
entituled  the  Faery  Queene,  being  a  continued  Alle- 
gory, or  darke  conceit,  I  have  thought  good,  as  well 
for  avoyding  of  gealous  opinions  and  misconstructions, 
as  also  for  your  better  light  in  reading  therof,  (being 
so  by  you  commanded),  to  discover  unto  you  the 
general  intention  and  meaning,  which  in  the  whole 
course  thereof  I  have  fashioned,  without  expressing 
of  any  particular  purposes,  or  by-accidents,  therein 
occasioned.  The  generall  end  therefore  of  all  the 
booke  is  to  fashion  a  gentleman  or  noble  person  in 
vertuous  and  gentle  discipline  :  Which  for  that  I  con- 
ceived shoulde  be  most  plausible  and  pleasing,  being 
coloured  with   an  historicall  fiction,    the  which   the 


6  A    LETTER    OF    THE    AUTIIOUS. 

most  part  of  men  delight  to  read,  rather  for  variety 
of  matter  then  for  profite  of  the  ensample,  I  chose 
the  historye  of  King  Arthure,  as  most  fitte  for  the 
excellency  of  his  person,  being  made  famous  by  many 
mens  former  workes,  and  also  furthest  from  the  daun- 
ger  of  envy,  and  suspition  of  present  time.  In  which 
I  have  followed  all  the  antique  poets  historicall ;  first 
Homere,  who  in  the  persons  of  Agamemnon  and  Ulys- 
ses hath  ensampled  a  good  governour  and  a  vertuous 
man,  the  one  in  his  Ilias,  the  other  in  his  Odysseis ; 
then  Virgil,  whose  like  intention  was  to  doe  in  the  per- 
son of -(Eneas  ;  after  him  Ariosto  comprised  them  both 
in  his  Orlando ;  and  lately  Tasso  dissevered  them 
againe,  and  formed  both  parts  in  two  persons,  namely 
that  part  which  they  in  philosophy  call  Ethice,  or 
vertues  of  a  private  man,  coloured  in  his  Rinaldo  ; 
the  other  named  Politice  in  his  Godfredb.  By  en- 
sample  of  which  excellente  poets,  I  labour  to  pour- 
traict  in  Arthure,  before  he  was  king,  the  image  of  a 
brave  knight,  perfected  in  the  twelve  private  Morall 
Vertues,  as  Aristotle  hath  devised ;  the  which  is  the 
purpose  of  these  first  twelve  Bookes  :  which  if  I  finde 
to  be  well  accepted,  I  may  be  perhaps  encoraged 
to  frame  the  other  part  of  Polliticke  Vertues  in  his 
person,  after  that  hee  came  to  be  king.  To  some 
I  know  this  methode  will  seeme  displeasaunt,  which 
liad  rather  have  good  discipline  delivered  plainly  in 
way  of  precepts,  or  sermoned  at  large,  as  they  use, 
then  thus  clowdily  enwrapped  in  allegoricall  devises. 
But  such,  me  seeme,  should  be  satisfide  Avith  the  use 
of  these  dayes,  seeing  all  things  accounted  by  their 
showes,  and  nothing  esteemed  of,  that  is  not  delight- 
full  and  pleasing  to  commune  sence.    For  this  cause  is 


A    LETTER    OF    THE    AUTHORS.  7 

Xenophon  preferred  before  Plato,  for  that  the  one, 
in  the  exquisite  depth  of  his  iiulgement,  formed  a 
communewelth,  such  as  it  should  be  ;  but  the  other  in 
the  person  of  Cyrus,  and  the  Persians,  fashioned  a 
governement,  such  as  might  best  be  :  So  much  more 
profitable  and  gratious  is  doctrine  by  ensample,  then 
by  rule.  So  have  I  laboured  to  doe  in  the  person  of 
Arthure  :  whom  I  conceive,  after  his  long  education 
by  Timon,  to  whom  he  was  by  Merlin  delivered  to 
be  brought  up,  so  soone  as  he  was  borne  of  the  Lady 
Igrayne,  to  have  seene  in  a  dream  or  vision  the  Faery 
Queen,  with  whose  excellent  beauty  ravished,  he 
awaking  resolved  to  seeke  her  out ;  and  so  being  by 
Mei'lin  armed,  and  by  Timon  throughly  instructed,  he 
went  to  seeke  her  forth  in  Faerye  Land.  In  that 
Faery  Queene  I  meane  Glory  in  my  generall  inten- 
tion, but  in  my  particular  I  conceive  the  most  excel- 
lent and  glorious  person  of  our  soveraine  the  Queene, 
and  her  kingdome  in  Faery  Land.  And  yet,  in  some 
places  els,  I  doe  otherwise  shadow  her.  For  consid- 
ering she  beareth  two  persons,  the  one  of  a  most 
royall  Queene  or  Empresse,  the  other  of  a  most  ver- 
tuous  and  beautifuU  Lady,  this  latter  part  in  some 
places  I  doe  expresse  in  Belphoebe,  fashioning  her 
name  according  to  your  owne  excellent  conceipt  of 
Cynthia  :  Phajbe  and  Cynthia  being  both  names  of 
Diana.  So  in  the  person  of  Prince  Arthure  I  sette 
fjrth  Magnificence  in  particular  ;  which  vertue,  for 
that  (according  to  Aristotle  and  the  rest)  it  is  the 
perfection  of  all  the  rest,  and  conteineth  in  it  them 
all,  therefore  in  the  whole  course  I  mention  the  deedes 
of  Arthure  applyable  to  that  vertue,  which  I  write 
of  in  that  booke.     But  of  the  xii.  other  vertues,  T 


8  A    LETTER    OF    THE    AUTHORS. 

make  xii.  other  knights  the  patron  es,  for  the  more 
variety  of  the  history :  Of  which  these  three  Bookes 
contayn  three.  The  first  of  the  Knight  of  the  Red- 
crosse,  in  whome  I  expresse  Holynes  :  The  seconde  of 
Sir  Guyon,  in  whome  I  sette  forth  Temperaunce: 
The  tliird  of  Britomartis,  a  lady  knight,  in  whome  I 
picture  Chastity.  But,  because  the  beginning  of  the 
whole  worke  seemeth  abrupte  and  as  depending  upon 
other  antecedents,  it  needs  that  ye  know  the  occasion 
of  these  three  knights  severall  adventures.  For  the 
methode  of  a  poet  historical  is  not  such,  as  of  an  his- 
toriographer. For  an  historiographer  discourse  th  of 
afFayres  orderly,  as  they  were  donne,  accounting  as 
well  the  times  as  the  actions  ;  but  a  poet  thrusteth 
into  the  middest,  even  where  it  most  concerneth  him, 
and  there  recoursing  to  the  thinges  forepaste,  and 
divining  of  thinges  to  come,  maketh  a  pleasing  anal- 
ysis of  all. 

The  beginning  therefore  of  my  history,  if  it  were 
to  be  told  by  an  historiograph ei',  should  be  the  Twelfth 
Booke,  which  is  the  last ;  where  I  devise  that  the 
Faery  Queene  kept  her  annuall  feaste  xii.  dayes ; 
uppon  which  xii.  severall  dayes,  the  occasions  of  the 
xii.  severall  adventures  hapned,  which,  being  under- 
taken by  xii.  severall  knights,  are  in  these  xii.  Books 
severally  handled  and  discoursed.  The  first  was  this. 
In  the  beginning  of  the  feast,  there  presented  him- 
selfe  a  tall  clownishe  younge  man,  who,  falling  before 
the  Queen  of  Fanes,  desired  a  boone,  (as  the  manner 
then  was,)  which  during  that  feast  she  might  not  re- 
fuse ;  which  was  that  hee  might  have  the  atchieve- 
ment  of  any  adventure,  which  during  that  feaste 
should  happen.     That  being  graunted,  he  rested  h'ra 


A    LETTER    OF    THE    AUTHOr.S.  9 

on  the  floore,  unfitte  through  his  rusticity  for  a  better 
place.  Soone  after  entred  a  faire  ladye  in  mourning 
weedes,  riding  on  a  white  asse,  with  a  dwarfe  behind 
her  leading  a  warlike  steed,  that  bore  the  armes  of  a 
knight,  and  his  speare  in  the  dwarfes  hand.  Shee, 
falling  before  the  Queene  of  Faeries,  complayned  that 
her  father  and  mother,  an  ancient  King  and  Queene, 
had  bene  by  an  huge  dragon  many  years  shut  up  in 
a  brasen  castle,  who  thence  suffred  them  not  to 
yssew  :  and  therefore  besought  the  Faery  Queene  to 
assygne  her  some  one  of  her  knights  to  take  on  him 
that  exployt.  Presently  that  clownish  pei'son,  up- 
starting, desired  that  adventure  :  whereat  the  Queene 
much  wondering,  and  the  Lady  much  gainesaying, 
yet  he  earnestly  importuned  his  desire.  In  the  end 
the  Lady  told  him,  that  unlesse  that  armour  which 
she  brought  would  serve  him  (that  is,  th5  armour  of 
a  Christian  man  specified  by  Saint  Paul,  vi.  Ephes.), 
that  he  could  not  succeed  in  that  enterprise  :  which 
being  forthwith  put  upon  him  with  dewe  furnitures 
thereunto,  he  seemed  the  goodliest  man  in  al  that 
company,  and  was  well  liked  of  the  Lady.  And 
eftesoones  taking  on  him  knighthood,  and  mounting 
on  that  straunge  courser,  he  went  forth  with  her  on 
that  adventure  :  where  beginneth  the  First  Booke,  vz. 
A  gentle  knight  was  pricking  on  the  playne,  &c. 

The  second  day  ther  came  in  a  palmer  bearing 
an  inftvnt  with  bloody  hands,  whose  parents  he  com- 
plained to  have  bene  slayn  by  an  enchaunteresse 
called  Acrasia :  and  therfore  craved  of  the  Faery 
Queene,  to  appoint  him  some  knight  to  performe 
that  adventure  ;  which  being  assigned  to  Sir  Guyon, 


10  A    LETTER    OF    THE    AUTHOKS. 

lie  presently  went  forth  with  that  same  palmer : 
which  is  the  begmning  of  the  Second  Booke,  and 
the  whole  subiect  thereof.  The  third  day  there  came 
in  a  groome,  who  complained  before  the  Faery 
Queene,  that  a  vile  enchaunter,  called  Busirane,  had 
in  hand  a  most  faire  lady,  called  Amoretta,  wliom  he 
kept  in  most  grievous  torment,  because  she  would 
not  yield  him  the  pleasure  of  her  body.  Whereupon 
Sir  Scudamour,  the  lover  of  that  lady,  presently 
tooke  on  him  that  adventure.  But  being  unable  to 
performe  it  by  reason  of  the  hard  enchauntments,  after 
long  sorrow,  in  the  end  met  with  Britomartis,  who 
succoured  him,  and  reskewed  his  Love. 

But,  by  occasion  hereof,  many  other  adventures 
are  intermedled ;  but  rather  as  accidents  then  in- 
tendments :  as  the  Love  of  Britomart,  the  Over- 
throw of  Marinell,  the  Misery  of  Florimell,  the  Ver- 
tuousnes  of  Belphcebe,  the  Lasciviousnes  of  Helle- 
nora  ;  and  many  the  like. 

Thus  much.  Sir,  I  have  briefly  overronne  to  di- 
rect your  understanding  to  the  wel-head  of  the  his- 
tory ;  that,  from  thence  gathering  the  whole  inten- 
tion of  the  conceit,  ye  may  as  in  a  handfuU  gripe 
al  the  discourse,  which  otherwise  may  happily  seeme 
tedious  and  confused.  So,  humbly  craving  the  con- 
tinuaunce  of  your  honourable  favour  towards  me, 
and  th'  eternall  establishment  of  your  ha2)pines,  I 
humbly  take  leave. 

23.  Linuary,  1589. 

Yours  most  humbly  affectionate, 

Ed.  Spenser. 


VERSES 


ADDRESSED   TO   THE  AUTHOR.' 


A  Vision  upon  this  Conceipt  of  the  Faery  Qiieene. 

Me  tliought  I  saw  the  grave  where  Laura  lay, 
Within  that  Temple  where  the  vestall  flame 
Was  wont  to  burne  ;  and  passing  by  that  way 
To  see  that  buried  dust  of  living  fame, 
"Whose  tumbe  faire  Love,  and  fairer  Vertue  kept. 
All  suddeinly  I  saw  the  Faery  Queene : 
At  whose  approch  the  soule  of  Petrarke  wept, 
And  from  thenceforth  those  Graces  were  not  scene ; 
For  they  this  Queene  attended ;  in  whose  steed 
Oblivion  laid  him  downe  on  Lauras  herse : 
Hereai  the  hardest  stones  were  seene  to  bleed, 
And  grones  of  buried  ghostes  the  hevens  did  perse : 

"Where  Homers  spright  did  tremble  all  for  griefe. 

And  curst  th'  accesse  of  that  celestiall  tlieife. 

1  The  first  two  of  these  complimentary  poems  are  by  Sir  WtiUer 
Baleigh,  and  the  third  by  Gabriel  Harvey.  The  authors  of  the 
others  are  unknown.     C. 


12  t^ERSES    ADDRESSED 

Another  of  the  same. 

The  prayse  of  meaner  wits  this  Worke  like  profit 

bi'ings, 
As  doth  the  Cuckoes  sonsj  delight  when  Philumena 

sings. 
If  thou  hast  formed  right  true  Vertues  face  herein, 
Vertue  herselfe  can  best  discerne  to  whom  they  writ- 
en  bin. 
If  thou  hast  Beauty  praysd,  let  Her  sole  lookes  divine 
ludge  if  ought  therein  be  amis,  and  mend  it  by  Her 

eine. 
If  Chastitie  want  ought,  or  Teraperaunce  her  dew, 
Behold    Her  Princely  mind  aright,  and  wi'ite    thy 

Queene  anew. 
Meane  while  She  shall  perceive,  how  far  Her  vertues 

sore 
Above  the  reach  of  all  that  live,  or  such  as  wrote  of 

yore : 
And  thereby  will  excuse  and  favour  thy  good  will ; 
Whose  vertue  can  not  be  exprest  but  by  an  Angels 

quill. 
Of  me  no  lines  are  lov'd,  nor  letters  are  of  price. 
Of  all  which  speak  our  English  tongue,  but  those  of  thy 

device. 

W.  R. 


TO    THE    AUTHOU.  13 

To  the  learned  Shepeheard. 

COLLTN,^  I  see,  by  thy  new  taken  taske, 
Some  sacred  fury  hath  enricht  thy  braynes, 

That  leades  thy  Muse  in  haughty  verse  to  maske, 
And  loath  the  layes  that  longs  to  lowly  swaynes  ; 

That  lifts  thy  notes  from  Shepheardes  unto  Kinges : 

So  like  the  lively  larke  that  mounting  singes. 

Thy  lovely  Rosolinde  seemes  now  forlorne, 
And  all  thy  gentle  flockes  forgotten  quight : 

Thy  chaunged  hart  now  holdes  thy  pypes  in  scorne, 
Those  prety  pypes  that  did  thy  mates  delight ; 

Those  trusty  mates,  that  loved  thee  so  well ; 

Whom  thou  gav'st  mirth,  as  they  gave  thee  the  bell.^ 

Yet,  as  thou  earst  with  thy  sweete  roundelayes 
Didst  stirre  to  glee  our  laddes  in  homely  bowers, 

So  moughtst  thou  now  in  these  refyned  layes 
Delight  the  daintie  eares  of  higher  powers : 

And  so  mought  they,  in  their  deepe  skanning  skill, 

Alow  and  grace  our  CoUyns  flowing  quyll. 

And  faire  befall  that  Faery  Queene  of  thine ! 

In  whose  faire  eyes  Love  linckt  with  Vertue  sittes ; 
Enfusing,  by  those  bewties  fyers  devyne. 

Such  high  conceites  into  thy  humble  wittes, 

1  In  these  verses  allusion  is  made  to  the  Shepheards  Calender, 
Spenser's  first  pubhshed  work,  m  which  he  speaks  of  himself  as 
Colin  Clout.     H. 

2  I.  e.  2)re-em{nence. 
VOL.  I.  7 


14  VERSES    ADDRESSED 

As  raised  hath  poore  Pastors  oaten  reedes 
From  rustick  tunes,  to  chaunt  heroique  deedes. 

So  mought  thy  Redci'osse  Knight  with  happy  hand 
Victorious  be  in  that  faire  Hands  right, 

Which  thou  dost  vayle  in  type  of  Faery  land, 
Elyzas  blessed  field,  that  Albion  hight : 

That  shieldes  her  friendes,  and  warres  her  mightie  foes, 

Yet  still  with  people,  peace,  and  plentie  flowes. 

But,  ioUy  shepeheard,  though  with  pleasing  style 
Thou  feast  the  humour  of  the  courtly  trayne, 

Let  not  conceipt  thy  setled  sence  beguile, 
Ne  daunted  be  through  envy  or  disdaine. 

Subiect  thy  dome  to  her  empyring  ^  spright. 

From  whence  thy  Muse,  and  all  the  world,  takes  light. 

HOBYNOLL. 


Fayre  Thamis  streame,  that  from  Ludds  stately  towne 

Runst  paying  tribute  to  the  ocean  seas, 

Let  all  thy  Nymphes  and  Syrens  of  renowne 

Be  silent,  whyle  this  Bryttane  Orpheus  playes : 

Nere  thy  sweet  bankes  there  lives  that  sacred  Crowne, 

Whose  hand  strovves  palme  and  never-dying  bayes. 

Let  all  at  once,  with  thy  soft  murmuring  sowne, 

Present  her  with  this  worthy  Poets  prayes  : 

For  he  hath  taught  hye  drifts  in  Shepeherdes  weedes, 

Aiid  deepe  conceites  now  singes  in  Faeries  deedes. 

R.  S. 

1  Empyring,  enkindling,  inflaming. 


TO    THE    AUTHOR.  15 

Grave  Muses,  march  in  triumph  and  with  prayses ; 
Our  Goddesse  here  hath  given  you  leave  to  land, 
And  biddes  this  rare  dispenser  of  your  graces 
Bow  downe  his  brow  unto  her  sacred  hand. 
Deserte  findes  dew  in  that  most  princely  doome, 
In  whose  sweete  brest  ai-e  all  the  Muses  bredde: 
So  did  that  great  Augustus  erst  in  Roome 
With  leaves  of  fame  adorne  his  Poets  hedde. 
Faire  be  the  guerdon  of  your  Faery  Queene, 
Even  of  the  fairest  that  the  woi*ld  hath  seene ! 

H.  B. 


When  stout  Achilles  heard  of  Helens  rape, 
And  what  revenge  the  States  of  Greece  devisd, 
Thinking  by  sleight  the  fatall  warres  to  scape, 
In  womans  weedes  himselfe  he  then  disguisde : 
But  this  devise  Ulysses  soone  did  spy, 
And  brought  him  forth,  the  chaunce  of  warre  to  try. 

When  Spencer  saw  the  fame  was  spredd  so  large. 
Through  Faery  land,  of  their  renowned  Queene, 
Loth  that  his  Muse  should  take  so  great  a  charge, 
As  in  such  haughty  matter  to  be  seene. 
To  seeme  a  Shepeheard  then  he  made  his  choice ; 
But  Sydney  heard  him  sing,  and  knew  his  voice. 

And  as  Ulysses  brought  faire  Thetis  sonne 
From  his  retyred  life  to  menage  amies. 
So  Spencer  was,  by  Sidneys  speaches,  wonne 
To  blaze  Her  fame,  not  fearing  future  harmes  : 


16  VERSES    ADDRESSED 

For  well  he  knew,  his  Muse  would  scone  be  tyred 
In  her  high  praise,  that  all  the  world  admired. 

Yet  as  Achilles,  in  those  warlike  frayes. 
Did  win  the  palme  from  all  the  Grecian  Peeres, 
So  Spencer  now,  to  his  iramortall  prayse, 
Hath  wonne  the  laurell  quite  from  all  his  feres.* 
What  though  his  taske  exceed  a  humaine  witt  ? 
He  is  excus'd,  sith^  Sidney  thought  it  fitt. 

W.  L. 


To  looke  upon  a  worke  of  rare  devise 
The  which  a  workman  setteth  out  to  view, 
And  not  to  yield  it  the  deserved  prise 
That  unto  such  a  workmanship  is  dew, 

Doth  either  prove  the  iudgement  to  be  naught, 
Or  els  doth  shew  a  mind  with  envy  fraught. 

To  labour  to  commend  a  peece  of  worke 
Which  no  man  goes  about  to  discommend, 
Would  raise  a  iealous  doubt,  that  there  did  lurke 
Some  secret  doubt  whereto  the  prayse  did  tend : 
For  when  men  know  the  goodnes  of  the  wyne, 
'Tis  needlesse  for  the  hoast  to  have  a  sygne. 

Thus  then,  to  shew  my  iudgement  to  be  such 
As  can  discerne  of  colours  blacke  and  white, 
As  alls^  to  free  my  minde  from  envies  tuch, 

1  Feres,  companions.  2  sith,  since.  ^  Alk,  also. 


TO    THE    AUTHOR.  17 

That  never  gives  to  any  man  his  right, 

I  here  pronounce  this  workmanship  is  such 
As  that  no  pen  can  set  it  forth  too  much. 

And  thus  I  hang  a  garland  at  the  dore  ; 

Not  for  to  shew  the  goodnes  of  the  ware, 

But  such  hath  beene  the  custome  heretofore, 

And  customes  very  hardly  broken  are ; 

And  when  your  tast  shall  tell  you  this  is  trew. 
Then  looke  you  give  your  hoast  his  utmost  dew. 

Iqnoto. 


VERSES 

ADDRESSED    BY    THE    AUTHOR    OF    THE    FAERIE 
QUEENR    TO    SEVERAL    NOBLEMEN,    &C.^ 


To  the  Right  Honourable  Sir  Christopher  HattoUy 
Lord  High  Ghauncelor  of  England,  SfC. 

Those  prudent  heads,  that  with  theire  counsels  wise 
Whjiom  the  pillours  of  th'  earth  did  sustaine, 
And  taught  ambitious  Rome  to  tyrannise 
And  in  the  neck  of  all  the  world  to  rayne, 

Oft  from  those  grave  affaires  were  wont  abstaine, 
With  the  sweet  Lady  Muses  for  to  play  : 
So  Ennius  the  elder  Africane ; 
So  Maro  oft  did  Cassars  cares  allay. 

So  you,  great  Lord,  that  with  your  counsell  sway 
The  burdeine  of  this  kingdom  mightily, 
With  like  delightes  sometimes  may  eke  delay* 
The  rugged  brow  of  carefull  Policy  ; 

And  to  these  ydle  rymes  lend  litle  space, 

Which  for  their  titles  sake  may  find  more  grace. 

1  The  foregoing  Letter  of  the  Author  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh, 
and  the  Verses  addressed  to  Spenser,  were  originally  appended 
to  the  first  three  books  of  the  Faerie  Queene.  Then  followed 
various  Sonnets,  which  were  probably  sent  with  presentation 
copies  of  the  volume.  At  first  there  were  ten  (the  1st,  6th,  3d, 
4th,  7th,  8th,  10th,  14th,  16th,  17th,  in  our  arrangement),  which 
occupied  pp.  601-605.  Seven  sonnets  were  afterwards  added, 
and,  to  make  room  for  them,  in  the  copy  we  have  followed,  eight 
pages,  not  inirabered,  are  substituted  in  the  place  of  pp.  601-604- 
In  other  copies,  still  other  arrangements  are  found.     C. 

2  Delay,  smooth. 


VERSES  TO  SEVERAL  NOBLEMEN,  &C.     19 


To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Burleigh,  Lord 
High  Threasurer  of  England. 

To  you,  right  noble  Lord,  whose  carefull  brest 
To  menage  of  most  grave  affaires  is  bent, 
And  on  whose  mightie  shoulders  most  doth  rest 
The  burdein  of  this  kingdomes  governement, 

(As  the  wide  compasse  of  the  firmament 
On  Atlas  mighty  shoulders  is  upstayd,) 
Unfitly  I  these  ydle  rimes  present. 
The  labor  of  lost  time,  and  wit  unstayd : 

Yet  if  their  deeper  sence  be  inly  wayd. 

And  the  dim  vele,  with  which  from  comune  vew 
Their  fairer  parts  are  hid,  aside  be  layd. 
Perhaps  not  vaine  they  may  appeare  to  you. 

Such  as  they  be,  vouchsafe  them  to  receave, 

And  wipe  their  faults  out  of  your  censure  grave. 


To  the  Right   Honourable   the  Earle  of   Oxenford, 
Lord  High  Chamberlayne  of  England,  SfC 

Receive,  most  noble  Lord,  in  gentle  gree,^ 
The  unripe  fruit  of  an  unready  wit. 
Which,  by  thy  countenaunce,  doth  crave  to  bee 
Defended  from  foule  Envies  poisnous  bit 

Which  so  to  doe  may  thee  right  well  befit. 
Sith  th'  antique  glory  of  thine  auncestry 

1  Gree,  favor. 


20  VERSES    ADDRESSED    BY    THE    AUTHOR 

Under  a  shady  vele  is  therein  writ, 
And  eke  thine  owne  long  living  memory, 
Succeeding  them  in  true  nobility : 

And  also  for  the  love  which  thou  doest  beare 
To  th'  Heliconian  ymps,^  and  they  to  thee ; 
They  unto  thee,  and  thou  to  them,  most  deare : 
Deare  as  thou  art  unto  thyselfe,  so  love 
That  ^  loves  and  honours  thee  ;  as  doth  behove. 


To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Earle  of  Northumberland. 

The  sacred  Muses  have  made  alwaies  clame 
To  be  the  nourses  of  nobility. 
And  registres  of  everlasting  fame. 
To  all  that  armes  professe  and  chevalry. 

Then,  by  like  right,  the  noble  progeny 

Wliich  them  succeed  in  fame  and  worth,  are  tyde 
T'  embrace  the  service  of  sweete  Poetry, 
By  whose  endevours  they  are  glorifide ; 

And  eke  from  all  of  whom  it  is  envide 
To  patronize  the  authour  of  their  praise. 
Which  gives  them  life,  that  els  would  scone  have 

dide. 
And  crownes  their  ashes  with  immortall  bales. 

To  thee  therefore,  right  noble  Lord,  I  send 

This  present  of  my  paines,  it  to  defend. 

1  Tmp$,  offspring.  2  That,  i.  e.  him  that. 


TO    SEVERAL    NOBLEMEN,    icC.  21 


To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Earle  of  Cmnherland, 

Redoubted  Lord,  in  whose  corageous  mind 
The  flowre  of  chevalry,  now  bloosming  faire, 
Doth  promise  fruite  worthy  the  noble  kind 
Which  of  their  praises  have  left  you  the  haire, 

To  you  this  humble  present  I  prepare, 
For  love  of  vertue  and  of  niartiall  praise ; 
To  which  though  nobly  ye  inclined  are, 
(As  goodlie  well  ye  shew'd  in  late  assaies,^) 

Yet  brave  ensample  of  long  passed  dales, 
In  which  trew  honor  yee  may  fashiond  see, 
To  like  desire  of  honor  may  ye  raise, 
And  fill  your  mind  with  magnanimitee. 

Receive  it,  Lord,  therefore  as  it  was  ment, 

For  honor  of  your  name  and  high  descent. 


To  the  most  Honourable  and  excellent  Lord  the  Earle 

of  Essex,    Great  Maister   of  the  Horse  to  her 

Highnesse,  and  Knight  of  the  Noble  Order 

of  the  Garter,  SfC. 

Magnificke  Lord,  whose  vertues  excellent 

Doe  merit  a  most  famous  Poets  witt 

To  be  thy  living  praises  instrument ; 

Yet  doe  not  sdeigne  ^  to  let  thy  name  be  writt 
In  this  base  Poeme,  for  thee  far  unfitt ; 

1  Assaies,  proofs,  or  trials.  ^S'leigne.  disdain. 


22  VEKSES    ADDKKSSED    UY    THE    AUTHOR 

Nought  is  tliy  worth  disparaged  thereby. 
But  when  my  Muse,  whose  fethers,  nothing  flitt,^ 
Doe  yet  but  tiagg  and  lowly  learne  to  fly, 
With  bolder  wing  shall  dare  alofte  to  sty'-^ 
To  the  last  praises  of  this  Faery  Queene, 
Then  shall  it  make  more  famous  memory 
Of  thine  heroicke  parts,  such  as  they  beene : 
Till  then,  vouchsafe  thy  noble  countenaunce 
To  these  first  labours  needed  furtheraunce. 


To  the  Right  Honourahle  the  Earle  of  Ormond  and 

Ossory. 

Receive,  most  noble  Lord,  a  simple  taste 

Of  the  wilde  fruit  which  salvage  soyP  hath  bred  ; 
Which,  being  through  long  wars  left  almost  waste, 
With  brutish  barbarisme  is  overspredd : 

And,  in  so  faire  a  land  as  may  be  redd,* 
Not  one  Parnassus,  nor  one  Helicone, 
Left  for  sweete  Muses  to  be  harboured, 
But  where  thyselfe  hast  thy  brave  mansions : 

There  indeede  dwel  faire  Graces  many  one. 
And  gentle  Nymphes,  delights  of  learned  wits  ; 
And  in  thy  person,  without  paragone, 
All  goodly  bountie  and  true  honour  sits. 

Such,  therefore,  as  that  wasted  soyl  doth  yield. 

Receive,  dear  Lord,  in  worth,  the  fruit  of  barren  field. 


1  Flia,  fleet.  3  I.  e.  Ireland. 

2  Sty,  ascend.  *  Jledd,  conceived  of. 


TO    SEVERAL    NOBLIiMEN,    &C.  23 

To  the  Right  HonouraUe  the  Lord   Charles  Howard, 

Lord  High  Admired  of  England,  Knight  of  the 

Nolle  Order  of  the  Garter,  and  one  of  her 

Maiesties  Privie  Counsel,  8fc. 

And  ye,  brave  Lord,  whose  goodly  personage 
And  noble  deeds,  each  other  garnishing, 
Make  you  ensample,  to  the  present  age, 
Of  th'  old  heroes,  whose  famous  ofspring 

The  antique  Poets  wont  so  much  to  sing. 
In  this  same  pageaunt  have  a  worthy  place, 
Sith  those  huge  castles  of  Castilian  King, 
That  vainly  threatned  kingdomes  to  displace, 

Like  flying  doves  ye  did  before  you  chace,^ 
And  that  pi*oud  people,  woxen  insolent 
Through  many  victories,  didst  first  deface : 
Thy  praises  everlasting  monument 

Is  in  this  verse  engraven  semblably,^ 

That  it  may  live  to  all  posterity. 


To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  of  Hunsdon,  High 
Chamberlaine  to  her  Maiesty. 

Renotvmed  Lord,  that,  for  your  worthinesse 
And  noble  deeds,  have  your  deserved  place 
High  in  the  favour  of  that  Emperesse, 

1  Allusion  is  here  made  to  the  defeat  of  the  Spanish  Armada. 

2  SemblaJbly,  with  resemblance. 


24     VERSES  ADDRESSED  BY  THE  AUTHOR 

The  worlds  sole  glory  and  her  sexes  grace, 
Here  eke  of  right  have  you  a  worthie  place, 
Both  for  your  nearnes  to  that  Faerie  Queene,^ 
And  for  your  owne  high  merit  in  hke  cace : 
Of  which,  apparaunt  proofe  was  to  be  seene, 
When  that  tumultuous  rage  and  fearful!  deene  ^ 
Of  Northerne  rebels  ye  did  pacify, 
And  their  disloiall  powre  defaced  clene, 
The  record  of  enduring  memory. 
Live,  Lord,  for  ever  in  this  lasting  verse, 
That  all  posteritie  thy  honor  may  reherse. 


To  the  most  renowmed  and  valiant  Lord,  tlie  Lord  Grey 

of  Wilton,  Knight  of  the  Nohle  Order  of  the 

Garter,  ^c. 

Most  Noble  Lord,  the  pillor  of  my  life. 
And  patrone  of  my  Muses  pupillage. 
Through  whose  large  bountie,  poured  on  me  rife 
In  the  first  season  of  my  feeble  age, 

I  now  doe  live  bound  yours  by  vassalage ; 
(Sith  nothing  ever  may  redeerae,  nor  reave  * 
Out  of  your  endlesse  debt,  so  sure  a  gage ;) 
Vouchsafe,  in  worth,  this  small  guift  to  receave, 

Which  in  your  noble  hands  for  pledge  I  leave 
Of  all  the  rest  that  I  am  tyde  t'  account : 
Rude  rymes,  the  which  a  rustick  Muse  did  weave 
Tn  savadge  soyle,  far  from  Parnasso  Mount, 

1  He  was  cousin  to  Queen  Elizabeth. 

2  Deene,  din.  8  Reave,  take  away. 


TO    SEVERAL    NOBLEMEN,    i:0.  25 

And  roughly  Avrought  in  an  unlearned  looine  : 
The    which   vouchsafe,   dear   Lord,   your   favorable 
doome. 


To  the  Right  Honourable,  the  Lord  of  Buchhurst,  one 
of  her  Maiesties  Privie  Counsell. 

In  vain  I  thinke,  right  honourable  Lord, 
By  this  rude  rime  to  memorize  thy  name, 
Whose  learned  Muse  hath  writ  her  owne  record 
Li  golden  verse,  worthy  immortal  fame : 

Thou  much  more  fit  (were  leasure  to  the  same) 
Thy  gracious  Soverains  praises  to  compile. 
And  her  imperiall  Maiestie  to  frame 
In  loftie  numbers  and  heroicke  stile. 

But,  sith  thou  maist  not  so,  give  leave  a  while 
To  baser  wit  his  power  therein  to  spend. 
Whose  grosse  defaults  thy  daintie  pen  may  file,^ 
And  unadvised  oversights  amend. 

But  evermore  vouchsafe  it  to  maintains 

Against  vile  Zoilus  backbitings  vaine. 


To  the  Right  Honourable  Sir  Francis   Walsingham, 

Knight,  Principall  Secretary  to  her  Maiesty,  and 

of  her  Honourable  Privy  Counsell. 

That  Mantuane  Poetes  incompared  ^  spirit, 
Whose  girland  now  is  set  in  highest  place, 

1  Fik  smooth  or  polish.  "  Incompared,  incomparable 


26  VERSES    ADDRESSED    BY    THE    AUTHOR 

Had  not  Mecoenas,  for  his  worthy  merit, 
It  first  advaunst  to  great  Augustus  gi'ace. 

Might  long  perhaps  have  hen  in  silence  bace, 
Ne  bene  so  much  admii-'d  of  later  age. 
This  lowly  Muse,  that  learns  like  steps  to  trace. 
Flies  for  like  aide  unto  your  patronage, 

(That  are  the  great  Mecenas  of  this  age, 
As  wel  to  al  that  civil  artes  professe. 
As  those  that  are  inspird  with  martial  rage,) 
And  craves  protection  of  her  feeblenesse : 

Which  if  ye  yield,  perhaps  ye  may  her  rayse 

In  bigger  tunes  to  sound  your  living  prayse. 


To  the  Right  NoUe  Lord  and  most  valiaunt  (7ap- 

taine,  Sir  lohn  Norris,  Knight,  Lord  President 

of  Mounster. 

Who  ever  gave  more  honourable  prize 

To  the  sweet  Muse  then  did  the  martiall  crew, 
That  their  brave  deeds  she  might  immortalize 
In  her  shril  tromp,  and  sound  their  praises  dew? 

Who  then  ought  more  to  favour  her  then  you, 
Moste  noble  Lord,  the  honor  of  this  age. 
And  precedent  of  all  that  armes  ensue  ? 
Whose  warlike  prowesse  and  manly  courage, 

Tempred  with  reason  and  advizement  sage. 
Hath  fild  sad  Belgicke  with  victorious  spoile  ; 
In  Fraunce  and  Ireland  left  a  famous  gage ; 
And  lately  sliakt  tlie  Lusitanian  soile. 

Sith  then  each  where  thou  hast  dispredd  thy  fame, 

Love  him  that  hath  eternized  your  name. 


TO    SEVERAL    ivOBKEMKX,    kC.  27 

To  the  Right  Noble  and  valorous  Knight,  Sir   Walter 

Raleigh,  Lord  Wardein  of  the  Stanneryes, 

and  Lieftenaunt  of  Gomewaile. 

To  thee,  that  art  the  Sommers  Nightingale, 
Thy  soveraine  Goddesses  most  deare  dehght, 
Why  doe  I  send  this  rusticke  madrigale. 
That  may  thy  tuneful!  eare  unseason  quite  ? 

Thou  onely  fit  this  argument  to  write, 

In  whose  high  thoughts  Pleasure  hath  built  her 

bowre, 
And  dainty  Love  learnd  sweetly  to  endite. 
My  rimes  I  know  unsavory  and  sowre, 

To  tast  the  streames  that,  like  a  golden  showre. 
Flow  from  thy  fruitful!  head,  of  thy  Loves  praise ; 
Fitter  perhaps  to  thonder  martiall  stowre, 
Whenso  thee  list  thy  lofty  Muse  to  raise : 

iTet,  till  that  thou  thy  poeme  wilt  make  knowne, 

Let  thy  faire  Cinthias  praises  bee  thus  rudely  showne. 


To  the  Right  Honourable  and  most  vertuotts  Lady,  the 
Countesse  of  Pembroke, 

Remembraunce  of  that  most  heroicke  spirit,^ 
The  lievens  pride,  the  glory  of  our  daies, 
Which  now  ti-iumpheth  (through  immortall  merit 

1  Sir  Philip  Sidney,  her  brother. 


28  VERSES    ADDRESSED    UY    THE    AUTHOR 

Of  his  brave  vertues)  crownd  with  lasting  baies, 
Of  hevenlie  blis  and  everlasting  praies, 

Who  first  my  Muse  did  lift  out  of  the  Acre, 

To  sing  his  sweet  delights  in  lowlie  laies. 

Bids  me,  most  noble  Lady,  to  adore 
His  goodly  image  living  evermore 

In  the  divine  resemblaunce  of  your  face  ; 

Which  with  your  vertues  ye  embellish  more, 

And  native  beauty  deck  with  hevenlie  grace : 
For  His,  and  for  your  owne  especial  sake, 
Vouchsafe  from  him  this  token  in  good  worth  to  take. 


To  the  most  vertuous  and  heaiitifull  Lady,  the  Lady 

Carew. 

Ne  may  I,  without  blot  of  endlesse  blame. 
You,  fairest  Lady,  leave  out  of  this  place ; 
But,  with  remembraunce  of  your  gracious  name, 
(Wherewith  that  courtly  garlond  most  ye  grace 

And  deck  the  world,)  adorne  these  verses  base : 
Not  that  these  few  lines  can  in  them  comprise 
Those  glorious  ornaments  of  hevenly  grace, 
Wherewith  ye  triumph  over  feeble  eyes 

And  in  subdued  harts  do  tyranyse ; 

(For  thereunto  doth  need  a  golden  quill 
And  silver  leaves,  them  rightly  to  devise ;) 
But  to  make  humble  present  of  good  wiU : 

Which,  whenas  timely  meanes  it  purchase  may, 

In  ampler  wise  itselfe  will  forth  display. 


TO    SEVEUAL    NOBLEMEN,    &C.  29 


To  all  the  gratious  and  heautifuJl  Ladies  in  the  Court- 

The  Chian  Peincter,  when  he  was  requirde 
To  pourtraict  Venus  in  her  perfect  hew, 
To  make  his  worke  more  absolute,  desird 
Of  all  the  fairest  maides  to  have  the  vew. 

Much  more  me  needs,  (to  draw  the  semblant  trew, 
Of  Beauties  Queene,  the  worlds  sole  wonderment,) 
To  sharpe  my  sence  with  sundry  beauties  vew. 
And  steale  from  each  some  part  of  ornament. 

If  all  the  world  to  seeke  I  overwent, 
A  fairer  crew  yet  no  where  could  I  see 
Then  that  brave  Court  doth  to  mine  eie  present ; 
That  the  worlds  pride  seemes  gathered  there  to  bee. 

Of  each  a  part  I  stole  by  cunning  thefte : 

Forgive  it  me,  faire  Dames,  sith  lesse  ye  have  not 
lefte. 


THE   FIRST  BOOKE 


OP 


THE   FAERIE   QUEENE, 

CONTAYNING 

THE     LEGEND    OF    THE    KNIGHT     OF    THE    EED    CKOSSE,    OB 
OF    HOLINESSE. 

1  Lo !    I,  the  man  whose  Muse  whjlome  did  maske. 
As  time  her  taught,  in  lowly  shephards  weeds,^ 
Am  now  enforst,  a  farre  unfitter  taske, 
For  trumpets  sterne  to  chaunge  mine  oaten  reeds, 
And  sing  of  knights  and  ladies  gentle  deeds ; 
Whose  praises  having  slept  in  silence  long, 
Me,  all  too  meane,  the  sacred  Muse  areeds 
To  blazon  broade  emongst  her  learned  throng : 

Fierce  warres  and  faithfull  loves  shall  moralize  my 


2 


song. 


2  Helpe  then,  0  holy  virgin,  chiefe  of  nyne, 
Thy  weaker  novice  to  performe  thy  will ; 
Lay  forth  out  of  thme  everlasting  scryne  ^ 

1  Weeds,  clothes.  ^  Areeds,  counsels,  incites. 

8  Scryne,  box  for  books  or  papers  {scrlnium). 


82  THK    FAEUIE    QUKENE. 

The  antique  rolles,  which  there  lye  hidden  still. 
Of  Faerie  knights,  and  fayrest  Tanaquill  ^ 
Whom  that  most  noble  Briton  Prince  so  long 
Sought  through  the  world,  and  suffered  so  much  ill, 
That  I  must  rue  his  undeserved  wrong : 
0,  helpe  thou  my  weake  wit,  and  sharpen  my  dull  tong ! 

3  And  thou,  most  dreaded  impe^  of  highest  love, 
Faire  Venus  sonne,  that  with  thy  cruell  dart 
At  that  good  knight  so  cunningly  didst  rove,* 
That  glorious  fire  it  kindled  in  his  hart ; 

Lay  now  thy  deadly  heben  *  bowe  apart. 
And,  with  thy  mother  mylde,  come  to  mine  ayde  ; 
Come,  both ;  and  with  you  bring  triumphant  Mart, 
In  loves  and  gentle  ioUities  arraid, 
After  his  murdrous  spoyles  and  bloudie  rage  allayd. 

4  And  with  them  eke,  0  Goddesse  heavenly  bright, 
Mirrour  of  grace,  and  maiestie  divine. 

Great  Ladie  of  the  greatest  Isle,  whose  light 
Like  Phoebus  lampe  throughout  the  world  doth 

shine. 
Shed  thy  faire  beames  into  my  feeble  eyne, 
And  raise  my  thoughtes,  too  humble  and  too  vile. 
To  thinke  of  that  true  glorious  type  of  thine, 
The  argument  of  mine  afflicted*  stile: 
The  which  to  heare  vouchsafe,  0  dearest  Dread,**  a 

while. 

1  Tanaquill  is  another  name  for  Gloriana,  the  Faerie  Queeno 

2  Imjie,  cliild. 

8  Rove,  shoot.  5  A/Jlicied,  low,  or  humble. 

4  Jleben,  ebony.  6  Bread,  object  of  reverence 


BOOK   I.       CANTO    I.  3£ 


CANTO    I. 

The  Patrone  of  trae  Holinesso 

Foule  Errour  doth  defeate ; 
Hypocrisie,  him  to  entrappe, 

Doth  to  his  home  entreate. 

1  A  GENTLE  Knight  was  pricking  on  the  plaine, 
Ycladd  ^  in  mightie  armes  and  silver  shielde, 
Wherein  old  dints  of  deepe  woundes  did  remaine, 
The  cruell  markes  of"  many  a  bloody  fielrle  ; 
Yet  armes  till  that  time  did  he  never  wield  : 
His  angry  steede  did  chide  his  foraing  bitt, 
As  much  disdayning  to  the  cnrbe  to  yield  : 
Full  iolly^  knight  he  seemd,  and  faire  did  sitt, 
As  one  for  knightly  giusts^  and  fierce  encounters  fitt. 

*  Ycladd,  clad.    2  Jolly,  handsome.    3  Giusts,  jousts,  tournaments. 


I.  5.  —  Yet  armes  till  that  time  did  he  never  wield.]  St.  George, 
the  hero  of  this  legend,  tliough  of  royal  Saxon  blood,  liad  been 
brought  up  as  a  ploughman,  having  been  stolen  away  in  his  infan- 
cy by  a  fairy.  (Canto  X.  65,  66.)  When  come  to  the  age  of  man, 
he  presented  himself,  "a  tall,  clownish  young  man,"  at  the  court 
of  the  Fairy  Queen,  and  desired  the  achievement  of  some  adven- 
ture. The  first  which  offered  itself  was  that  of  the  dragon,  but 
his  rustic  appearance  was  made  an  objection  to  his  attempting 
Buch  an  exploit,  and  he  was  required,  as  a  test  of  his  fitness,  to  try 
on  a  suit  of  armor, —  the  "  whole  armor"  of  a  Christian  soldier, 
described  by  Paul  in  the  sixth  chapter  of  the  Ephesians.  Having 
successfully  undergone  this  probation,  he  was  accepted,  and,  im- 
mediately taking  on  him  the  vows  of  knighthood,  set  forth  on  his 
enterprise.     See  pp.  8.  9.     C. 


34  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

2  And  on  his  brest  a  bloodie  crosse  he  bore, 
The  deare  remembrance  of  his  dying  Lord, 

For  whose  sweete  sake  that   glorious  badge  he 

wore, 
And  dead,  as  Hving  ever,  him  ador'd  : 
Upon  his  shield  the  like  was  also  scor'd, 
For  soveraine  hope,  which  in  his  helpe  he  had, 
Right,  faithful!,  true  he  was  in  deede  and  word ; 
But  of  his  cheere  *  did  seeme  too  solemne  sad ; 
Yet  nothing  did  he  dread,  but  ever  was  ydrad.'^ 

3  Upon  a  great  adventure  he  was  bond, 
That  greatest  Gloriana  to  him  gave, 

That  greatest  glorious  queene  of  Faery  lond, 
To  winne  him  worshippe,  and  her  grace  to  have, 
Which  of  all  earthly  thinges  he  most  did  crave ; 
And  ever,  as  he  rode,  his  hart  did  earne  ^ 
To  prove  his  puissance  in  battell  brave 
Upon  his  foe,  and  his  new  force  to  learne ; 
Upon  his  foe,  a  Dragon  horrible  and  stearne. 

4  A  lovely  Ladie  rode  him  faire  beside. 
Upon  a  lowly  asse  more  white  then  snow  ; 
Yet  she  much  whiter ;  but  the  same  did  hide 
Under  a  vele,  that  wimpled  *  was  full  low  ; 
And  over  all  a  blacke  stole  shee  did  throw : 
As  one  that  inly  mournd,  so  was  she  sad, 
And  heavie  sate  upon  her  palfrey  slow ; 
Seemed  in  heart  some  hidden  care  she  had  ; 

And  by  her  in  a  line  a  milke-white  lambe  she  lad, 

*  Cheere,  countenance.  ^  Earne,  yearn. 

2  Ydrad,  dreaded.  ■*  IVinqikd,  drawn  about  her. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    I.  35 

5  So  pure  and  innocent,  as  that  same  lanibe, 
She  was  in  life  and  every  vertuous  lore ; 
And  by  descent  from  royall  lynage  came 

Of  ancient  kinges  and  queenes,  that  had  of  yore 
Their  scepters  stretcht  from  east  to  westerne  shore, 
And  all  the  world  in  their  subiection  held; 
Till  that  infernall  feend  with  foule  uprore 
Forwasted  ^  all  their  land,  and  them  expeld ; 
Whom  to  avenge,  she  had  this  Knight  from  far  compeld. 

6  Behind  her  farre  away  a  Dwarfe  did  lag, 
That  lasie  seemd,  in  being  ever  last, 

Or  wearied  with  bearing  of  her  bag 
Of  needments  at  his  backe.     Thus  as  they  past, 
The  day  with  cloudes  was  suddeine  overcast, 
And  angry  love  an  hideous  storme  of  raine 
Did  poure  into  his  lemans  lap  so  fast, 
That  everie  wight  to  shrowd  it  did  constrain  ; 
And  this  faire  couple  eke  to  shroud  themselves  were 
fain. 

7  Enforst  to  seeke  some  covert  nigh  at  hand, 
A  shadie  grove  not  farr  away  they  spide. 
That  promist  ayde  the  tempest  to  withstand  ; 
Whose  loftie  trees,  yclad  with  sommers  pride, 
Did  spred  so  broad,  that  heavens  light  did  hide, 
Not  perceable  with  power  of  any  starr : 

And  all  within  were  pathes  and  alleies  wide. 
With  footing  worne,  and  leading  inward  farr : 
Faire  harbour  that  them  seemes ;  so  in  they  entred  ar. 

1  Forwasted.     Far  is  here  intensive. 


36  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENE. 

8  And  foorth  they  passe,  with  pleasure  forward  led, 
loying  to  heare  the  birdes  sweete  harmony, 
Which,  thex*eia  shrouded  from  the  tempest  dred, 
Seemd  in  their  song  to  scoi-ne  the  cruell  sky. 
Much  can^  they  praise  the  trees  so  straight  and  hy. 
The  sayling  pine ;  the  cedar  proud  and  tall ; 
The  vine-propp  elme  ;  the  poplar  never  dry ; 
The  builder  oake,  sole  king  of  forrests  all ; 

The  aspine  good  for  staves  ;  the  cypresse  funerall ; 

9  The  laurell,  meed  of  mightie  conquerours 
And  poets  sage  ;  the  firre  that  weepeth  still ; 
The  willow,  worne  of  forlorne  paramours  ; 
The  eugh,^  obedient  to  the  benders  will ; 
The  birch  for  shaftes ;  the  sallow  for  the  mill ; 
The  mirrhe  sweete-bleeding  in  the  bitter  wound  ; 
The  warlike  beech  ;  the  ash  for  nothing  ill ; 
The  fruitful!  olive  ;  and  the  platane  round  ; 

The  carver  holme ;  the  maple  seeldom  inward  sound. 

10  Led  with  delight,  they  thus  beguile  the  way, 
Untill  the  blustring  storme  is  ovei'blovvne  ; 
When,  weening  to  returne  whence  they  did  stray. 
They  cannot  finde  that  path,  which  first  was  showne, 
But  wander  too  and  fro  in  waies  unknowne. 
Furthest  from  end  then,  when  they  neerest  weene. 
That  makes  them  doubt  their  wits  be  not  their  owne : 
So  many  pathes,  so  many  turnings  seene, 

That  which  of  them  to  take,  in  diverse  doubt  they  been. 

1  Can  or  gan  with  the  infinitive  is  a  common  circumlocution  for 
the  preterite.    C 

2  Eugh,  yew. 


1500K    I.       CANTO    I.  37 

n  At  last  resolving  forward  still  to  fare, 
Till  that  some  end  they  finde,  or  in  or  out, 
That  path  tliey  take,  that  beaten  seemd  most  bare, 
And  like  .to  lead  the  labyrinth  about ; 
"Which  when  by  tract  ^  they  hunted  had  throughout, 
At  length  it  brought  them  to  a  hollowe  cave, 
Amid  the  thickest  woods.     The  Champion  stout 
Eftsoones  ^  dismounted  from  his  courser  brave. 

And  to  the  Dwarfe  a  while  his  needlesse^  spere  he 
gave. 

i'2  "  Be  well  aware,"  quoth  then  that  Ladie  milde, 
"  Least  suddaine  mischiefe  ye  too  rash  provoke : 
The  danger  hid,  the  place  unknowne  and  wilde, 
Breedes  dreadfall  doubts  :  oft  fire  is  without  sraoke^ 
And  perill  witliout  show :  therefore  your  stroke. 
Sir  Knight,  witlihold,  till  further  tryall  made." 
"  Ah  Ladie,"  sayd  he,  "  shame  were  to  revoke 
The  forward  footing  for  an  hidden  shade : 

Vertue  gives  her  selfe  light  through  darkenesse  for  to 
wade." 

3  "  Yea,  but,"  quoth  she,  "  the  perill  of  this  place 
I  better  wot  then  you :  though  nowe  too  late 
To  wish  you  backe  returne  with  foide  disgrace, 
Yet  wisedome  warnes,  whilest  foot  is  in  the  gate, 
To  stay  the  steppe,  ere  forced  to  retrate. 
This  is  the  wandring  wood,  this  Errours  den, 
A  monster  vile,  whom  God  and  man  does  hate : 


1  Tract,  tracing-  2  Eftsoones,  immediately. 

3  Needlesse.    The  spear  was  used  only  on  horseback. 


38  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Therefore  I  read  *  beware."     "  Fly,  fly,"  quoth  then 
The  fearefuU  Dwarfe ;  "  this  is  no  place  for  living  men." 

u  But  full  of  fire  and  greedy  hardiment.^ 

The  youthfull  Knight  could  not  for  ought  be  staide; 

But  forth  unto  the  darksom  hole  he  went, 

And  looked  in  :  his  j^listring  armor  made 

A  litle  glooming  light,  much  like  a  shade  ; 

By  which  he  saw  the  ugly  monster  plaine, 

Halfe  like  a  serpent  horribly  displaide, 

But  th'  other  halfe  did  womans  shape  retaine, 

Most  lothsom,  filthie,  foule,  and  full  of  vile  disdaine.^ 

15  And,  as  she  lay  upon  the  durtie  ground, 
Her  huge  long  taile  her  den  all  overspred. 

Yet  was  in  knots  and  many  boughtes  *  upwound, 
Pointed  with  mortall  sting.     Of  her  there  bred 
A  thousand  yong  ones,  which  she  dayly  fed, 
Sucking  upon  her  poisnous  dugs  ;  each  one 
Of  sundrie  shapes,  yet  all  ill-favored  : 
Soone  as  that  uncouth^  light  upon  them  shone, 
Into  her  mouth  they  crept,  and  suddain  all  were  gone. 

16  Their  dam  upstart,  out  of  her  den  effraide. 
And  rushed  forth,  hurling  her  hideous  taile 
About  her  cursed  head  ;  whose  folds  displaid 
Were  stretcht  now  forth  at  length  without  entraile.* 
She  lookt  about,  and  seeing  one  in  mayle, 

1  Jiead,  advise.  2  Hardiment,  boldness, 

8  I.  0.  such  as  would  excite  disdain. 

4  Bouffhtes,  circular  folds.  6  Uncouth,  unknown,  strange. 

6  Without  entraih,  without  coiling. 


liOOK    I.       CANTO    I.  89 

Armed  to  point,  sought  backe  to  turne  againe  ; 
For  light  she  hated  as  the  deadly  bale,^ 
Ay  wont  in  desert  darknes  to  remaine, 
VVhere  plain  none  might  her  see,  nor  she  see  any 
plame. 

17  Which  when  the  valiant  Elfe  perceiv'd,  he  lept 
As  lyon  fierce  upon  the  flying  pray, 
And  with  his  trenchand  blade  her  boldly  kept 
From  turning  backe,  and  forced  her  to  stay  : 
Therewith  enrag'd  she  loudly  gan  to  bray. 
And  turning  fierce  her  speckled  taile  advaunst, 
Thi-eatning  her  angrie  sting,  him  to  dismay ; 
Who,  nought  aghast,  his  mightie  hand  enhaunst'^; 

The  stroke  down  from  her  head  unto  her  shoulder 
glaunst. 


o 


18  Much  daunted  with  that  dint,  her  sence  was  dazd*; 
Yet  kindling  rage  her  selfe  she  gathered  round, 
And  all  attonce  her  beastly  bodie  raizd 

With  double  forces  high  above  the  ground : 
Tho,^  wrapping  up  her  wrethed  sterne  arownd, 
Lept  fierce  upon  his  shield,  and  her  huge  traine 
All  suddenly  about  his  body  wound. 
That  hand  or  foot  to  stirr  he  strove  in  vaine. 
God  helpe  the  man  so  wrapt  in  Errours  endlesse 
traine  ^ ! 

19  His  Lady,  sad  to  see  his  sore  constraint, 

.   Cride  out, "  Now,  now.  Sir  Knight,  shew  what  ye  bee; 

1  Bak,  destruction.  8  Bazd,  confounded.        8  Qu  cliaiMl 

2  IMaunsty  lifted  up.         *  Tko,  then. 


40  THE  FAERIE  quei-::j;e. 

Add  faith  unto  your  force,  and  be  not  faint ; 
Strangle  her,  els  she  sure  will  strangle  thee." 
That  when  he  heard,  in  great  perplexitie, 
His  gall  did  grate  for  griefe  and  high  disdaine ; 
And,  knitting  all  his  force,  got  one  hand  free, 
Wherewith  he  grypt  her  gorge  with  so  great  paine, 
That  soone  to   loose  her  wicked  bands  did  her  con- 
strains. 

20  Therewith  she  spewd  out  of  her  filthie  maw 
A  floud  of  poyson  horrible  and  blacke, 

Full  of  great  lumps  of  flesh  and  gobbets  raw, 
Which  stunck  so  vil<lly,  that  it  forst  him  slacke 
His  gi'asping  hold,  and  from  her  turne  him  backe : 
Her  vomit  full  of  bookes  and  papers  was, 
With  loathly  frogs  and  toades,  which  eyes  did  lacke. 
And  creeping  sought  way  in  the  weedy  gras  : 
Her  filthie  parbreake  ^  all  the  place  defiled  has. 

21  As  when  old  father  Nilus  gins  to  swell 
With  timely  pride  above  the  Aegyptian  vale, 
His  fattie  waves  doe  fertile  slime  outwell, 
And  overflow  each  plaine  and  lowly  dale : 
But,  when  his  later  spring  gins  to  avale,^ 

Huge    heapes  of  mudd  he    leaves,  wherin  there 

breed 
Ten  thousand  kindes  of  creatures,  partly  male 
And  partly  femall,  of  his  fruitful  seed  ; 
Such  ugly  monstrous  shapes  elswher   may  no  man 

reed.* 

1  Parbreake,  vomit.  2  Avale,  sink  down. 

**  Reed,  imagine. 


COOK    I.       CAXTO    I.  41 

22  The  same  so  sore  annoyed  has  the  Knight, 
That  wel-nigh  choked  with  the  deadly  stinke, 
His  forces  faile,  ne  can  no  lenger  fight. 

Whose  corage  when  the  Feend  perceivd  to  shrinke, 
She  poured  forth  out  of  her  heUish  sinke 
Her  fruitfull  cursed  spawne  of  serpents  small, 
Deformed  monsters,  fowle,  and  blacke  as  inke. 
Which  swarming  all  about  his  legs  did  crall, 
And   him    encombred  sore,   but  could  not  hurt   at 
all. 

23  As  gentle  shepheard  in  sweete  eventide. 
When  ruddy  Phebus  gins  to  welke  *  in  west, 
High  on  an  hill,  his  flocke  to  vewen  ^  wide, 
Markes  which  doe  byte  their  hasty  supper  best ; 
A  cloud  of  cumbrous  gnattes  doe  him  molest. 
All  striving  to  infixe  their  feeble  stinges. 

That  from  their  noyance  he  no  where  can  rest ; 

But  with  his  clownish  hands  their  tender  wings 

He  brusheth  oft,  and  oft  doth  mar  their  murraur- 


mgs. 


24  Thus  ill  bestedd,^  and  fearefull  more  of  shame 
Then  of  the  certeine  perill  he  stood  in, 
Halfe  furious  unto  his  foe  he  came, 
Resolvd  in  minde  all  suddenly  to  win. 
Or  soone  to  lose,  before  he  once  would  lin  * ; 
And  stroke  at  her  with  more  then  manly  force, 
That  from  her  body,  full  of  filthie  sin. 


1  Welke,  fade.  «  Bestedd,  situated. 

2  Vewen,  view.  *  ^in,  cease. 


42  XHK    I'AEUIE    QUEEXi:. 

He  raft  ^  her  hateful!  heade  without  remorse : 
A.  sti'eame  of  cole-bkick  blood  forth  gushed  from  her 
corse. 

25  Her  scattred  brood,  sooiie  as  their  parent  deare 
They  saw  so  rudely  falling  to  the  ground, 
Groning  full  deadly  all  with  troublous  feare 
Gathred  themselves  about  her  body  round. 
Weening  ^  their  wonted  entrance  to  have  found 
At  her  wide  mouth ;  but,  being  there  withstood, 
They  flocked  all  about  her  bleeding  wound, 
And  sucked  up  their  dying  mothers  bloud  ; 

Making  her  death  their  life,  and  eke  her  hurt  their 
good. 

26  That  detestable  sight  him  much  amazde. 

To  see  th'  unkindly  ^  impes,  of  heaven  accurst, 
Devoure  their  dam  ;  on  whom  while  so  he  gazd, 
Having  all  satisfide  their  bloudy  thurst, 
Their  bellies  swolne  he  saw  with  fulnesse  burst. 
And  bowels  gushing  forth  :  Well  worthy  end 
Of  such  as  drunke  her  life,  the  which  them  nurst ! 
Now  needeth  him  no  lenger  labour  spend. 
His  foes  have  slaine  themselves,  with  whom  he  should 
contend. 

27  His  Lady,  seeing  all  th9,t  chaunst,  from  farre, 
Approcht  in  hast  to  greet  his  victorie  ; 

And  saide,  "  Faire   Knight,  borne  under  happie 
starre, 

1  Rnft,  struck  off".  2  Weening,  expecting. 

3  TTnkindlij,  unnatural. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    I.  43 

Who  see  your  vanquisht  foes  before  you  lye ; 
Well  worthie  be  you  of  that  armory, 
Wiierein  ye  have  great  glory  wonne  this  day, 
And  proov'd  your  strength  on  a  strong  enimie ; 
Your  first  adventure  :  Many  such  I  pi'ay, 
And  henceforth  ever  wish  that  like  succeed  it  may  ! " 

iS  Then  mounted  he  upon  his  steede  againe, 
And  with  the  Lady  backward  sought  to  wend  : 
That  path  he  kept  which  beaten  was  most  jjlaine, 
Ne  ever  would  to  any  by-way  bend  ; 
But  still  did  follow  one  unto  the  end, 
The  which  at  last  out  of  the  wood  them  brought. 
So  forward  on  his  way  (with  God  to  frend  *) 
He  passed  foi-th,  and  new  adventure  sought : 

Long  way  he  travelled,  before  he  heard  of  ought. 

29  At  length  they  chaunst  to  meet  upon  the  way 
An  aged  Sire,  in  long  blacke  weedes  yclad, 
His  feete  all  bare,  his  beard  all  hoarie  gray, 
And  by  his  belt  his  booke  he  banging  had ; 
Sober  he  seemde,  and  very  sagely  sad ; 
And  to  the  ground  his  eyes  were  lowly  bent, 
Simple  in  shew,  and  voide  of  malice  bad ; 
And  all  the  way  he  prayed,  as  he  went. 

And  often  knockt  his  brest,  as  one  that  did  repent. 

8C  He  faire  the  Knight  saluted,  louting  ^  low. 
Who  faire  him  quited,^  as  that  courteous  was : 
And  after  asked  him,  if  he  did  know 

1  To  frend,  for  a  friend.  2  Louting,  bowing. 

8  Quited,  requited,  returned  his  s;ilutatioii. 


44  THE    lAEKIE    QLr,i;XK. 

Of  straunge  adventures,  which  abroad  did  pas. 
"  Ah  !  my  dear  sonne,"  quoth  he, "  how  should,  alas ! 
Silly  old  man,  that  lives  in  hidden  cell. 
Bidding  his  beades  all  day  for  his  trespas, 
Tydings  of  warre  and  worldly  trouble  tell  ? 
With  holy  father  sits  ^  not  with  such  thinges  to  mell.^ 

31  "But  ifof  daunger,  which  hereby  doth  dwell, 
And  homebredd  evil  ye  desire  to  heare, 

Of  a  straunge  man  I  can  you  tidings  tell, 
That  wasteth  all  this  countrie  farre  and  neare. 
"  Of  such,"  saide  he,  "  I  chiefly  doe  inquere  ; 
And  shall  thee  well  rewarde  to  shew  the  place. 
In  which  that  wicked  wight  his  dayes  doth  weare  : 
For  to  all  knighthood  it  is  foule  disgrace, 
That  such  a  cursed  creatui'e  lives  so  long  a  space." 

32  "  Far  hence,"  quoth  he,  "  in  wastfull  wildernesse, 
His  dwelling  is,  by  which  no  living  wight 

May  ever  passe,  but  thorough  great  disti-esse." 
"Now,"  saide  the  Ladie,  "  draweth  toward  night; 
And  well  I  wote,  that  of  your  later  light 
Ye  all  forwearied  ^  be  ;  for  what  so  strong, 
But,  wanting  rest,  will  also  want  of  might  ? 
The  sunne,  that  measures  heaven  all  day  long, 
At  night  doth  baite  his  steedes  the  ocean  waves  emong. 

i;i  "  Then  with  the  sunne  take.  Sir,  your  timely  rest, 
And  with  new  day  new  worke  at  once  begin  : 
Untroubled  night,  they  say,  gives  counsell  best." 

1  Sits,  is  becoming,  suits.  2  Mell,  meddle. 

3  FortcearU-d,  wearied  out. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    I.  45 

"  Right  well,  Sir  Kniglit,  ye  have  advised  bm," 
Quoth  then  that  aged  man ;  "  the  way  to  win 
Is  wisely  to  advise  :  now  day  is  spent ; 
Therefore  with  me  ye  may  take  up  your  in  ^ 
For  this  same  night."    The  Knight  was  well  content : 
So  with  that  godly  Father  to  his  home  they  wenr. 

34  A  litle  lowly  hermitage  it  was, 

Downe  in  a  dale,  hard  by  a  forests  side, 
Far  from  resort  of  people,  that  did  pas 
In  traveill  to  and  troe  :  a  litle  wyde  ^ 
There  was  an  holy  cliappell  edifyde,^ 
Wherein  the  Ilermite  dewly  wont  to  say 
His  holy  thinges  each  morne  and  eventyde : 
Thereby  a  christall  streame  did  gently  play, 

Which  from  a  sacred  fountaine  welled  forth  alway. 

^5  Arrived  there,  the  litle  house  they  fill, 

Ne  looke  for  entertainement,  where  none  was ; 
Rest  is  their  feast,  and  all  thinges  at  their  will : 
The  noblest  mind  the  best  contentment  has. 
With  ftiire  discourse  the  evening  so  they  pas  ; 
For  that  olde  man  of  j)leasing  wordes  had  store. 
And  well  could  file  *  his  tongue,  as  smooth  as  glas : 
He  told  of  saintes  and  popes,  and  evermore 

He  strowd  an  Ave-Mary  after  and  before. 

36  The  drouping  night  thus  creepeth  on  them  fast ; 
And  the  sad  ^  humor  loading  their  eye-liddes, 

1  In,  abode.  •*  ^«'«.  smooth  or  polish. 

2  A  lifle  wyde,  at  a  short  distance.    5  Sad,  heavy. 
8  Edifyde,  built. 

VOL.  I.  9 


46  THE    FAERIE    QUEENL.. 

As  messenger  of  Morpheus,  on  them  cast 

S\\'eet  slombring  deaw,  tlie  which  to  sleep  them 

biddes. 
Unto  their  lodgings  then  his  guestes  he  riddes  ^ : 
Where    when    all   drownd   in    deadly    sleepe    he 

findes, 
He  to  his  studie  goes  ;  and  there  amiddes 
His  magick  bookes,  and  artes  of  sundrie  kindes. 
He    seekes    out   mighty   charmes  to   trouble  sleepj 

minds. 

37  Then  choosing  out  few  words  most  horrible, 
(Let  none  them  read  !)  thereof  did  verses  frame  ; 
With  which,  and  other  spelles  like  terrible, 

He  bad  awake  blacke  Plutoes  griesly  dame ; 
And  cursed  heven  ;  and  spake  reproehful  shame 
Of  higliest  God,  the  Lord  of  life  and  liglit. 
A  bold  bad  man !  that  dar'd  to  call  by  name 
Great  Gorgon,  prince  of  darknes  and  dead  night ; 
At  which  Cocytus  quakes,  and  Styx  is  put  to  flight. 

38  And  forth  he  cald  out  of  deepe  darknes  dredd 
Legions  of  sprights,  the  which,  like  litle  flyes, 
Fluttring  about  his  ever-damned  hedd, 
Awaite  whereto  their  service  he  applyes, 

To  aide  his  friendes,  or  fray  ^  his  eniinies : 
Of  those  he  chose  out  two,  the  falsest  twoo, 
And  fittest  for  to  forge  true-seeming  lyes  ; 
The  one  of  them  he  gave  a  message  too. 
The  other  by  himselfe  staide  other  worke  to  doo. 

1  Rkkles,  dismisses.  -  Pray,  alami. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    I.  47 

S9  He,  making  speedy  way  through  spersecl  ^  ayre. 
And  through  the  world  of  waters  wide  and  deepe, 
To  Morpheus  house  doth  hastily  repaire. 
Amid  the  bowels  of  the  earth  full  steepe, 
And  low,  where  dawning  day  doth  never  peijpe, 
His  dwelling  is  ;  there  Tethys  his  wet  bed 
Doth  ever  wash,  and  Cynthia  still  doth  steepe 
In  silver  deaw  his  ever-drouping  hed, 

Whiles  sad  Night  over  him  her  mantle  black  doth  spred, 

40  Wliose  double  gates  he  findeth  locked  fast ; 
The  one  faire  fram'd  of  burnisht  yvory, 
The  other  all  with  silver  overcast ; 

And  wakeful  dogges  before  them  farre  doe  lye, 
Watching  to  banish  Care  their  enimy, 
Who  oft  is  wont  to  trouble  gentle  Sleepe. 
By  them  the  Sprite  doth  passe  in  quietly, 
And  unto  Morpheus  comes,  whom  drowned  deepe 
In  drowsie  fit  he  findes ;   of  nothing  he  takes  keepe.* 

41  And,  more  to  lulle  him  in  his  slumber  soft, 

A  trickling  streame  from  high  rock  tumbling  downe, 

And  ever-drizling  raine  upon  the  loft,' 

Mixt  with  a  murmuring  winde,much  like  the  sowne  * 

1  Spersed,  dispersed.  ^  Loft,  floor. 

2  Keepe,  heed.  ^  Somie,  sound. 


XL.  S.  — Silver  overcast]  The  ancient  poets  supposed  that 
there  were  two  gates  of  Sleep,  one  of  liorn,  which  sent  forth  true 
dreams,  and  one  of  ivory,  which  sent  A\Ise.  Spenser  substitutes 
Bilver  for  horn,  because  the  magician  cannot  be  supposed  to  have 
power  over  trutli  in  any  shape. 


48  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Of  swarming  bees,  did  caste  him  in  a  swownc. 
No  other  noyse,  nor  peoples  troublous  cryes, 
As  still  are  wont  t'  annoy  the  walled  towne, 
Might  there  be  heard  :  but  carelesse  Quiet  lyes, 
Wrapt  in  eternall  silence  farre  from  enimyes. 

42  The  messenger  approching  to  him  spake ; 

But  his  waste  wordes  retournd  to  him  in  vaine : 
So  sound  he  slept,  that  nought  mought  him  awake. 
Then  rudely  he  him  thrust,  and  pusht  with  paine, 
Whereat  he  gan  to  stretch :  but  he  againe 
Shooke  him  so  hard,  that  forced  him  to  speake. 
As  one  then  in  a  dreame,  whose  dryer  braine 
Is  tost  with  troubled  sights  and  fancies  weake, 

He  mumbled  soft,  but  would  not  all  his  silence  breake. 

13  The  Si)rite  then  gan  more  boldly  him  to  wake, 
And  threatned  unto  him  the  dreaded  name 
Of  Hecate  :  whereat  he  gan  to  quake, 
And,  lifting  up  his  lompish-"^  head,  with  blame 
Halfe  angrie  asked  him,  for  what  he  came. 
"  Hether,"  quoth  he,  "  me  Archimago  sent 
He  that  the  stubborne  sprites  can  wisely  tame ; 
He  bids  thee  to  him  send  for  his  intent 

A  fit  false  dreame,  that  can  delude  the  sleepers  sent."  ^ 

1  Lomjjish,  heavy.  2  Sent,  perception,  senses. 


XLIII.  6.  —  Arclnma(jo,]  i.  e.  arch-mugiciiin.     He  is  a  t\pe  of 
Hypocrisy  or  Fraud,  and,  as  opposed  to  Christian  Holiness  em 
bodied  in  the  Red-cross  Knight,  may  also  represent  Satan    the 
\ncarnate  principle  of  evil.     H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    I.  49 

14  The  God  obayde  ;  and,  calling  forth  straight  way 
A  diverse  ^  dreame  out  of  his  prison  darke, 
Delivei'ed  it  to  him,  and  downe  did  lay 
His  heavie  head,  devoide  of  careful  carke  ^ ; 
Whose  sences  all  were  straight  benumbd  and  starke. 
He,  backe  returning  by  the  yvorie  dore. 
Remounted  up  as  light  as  chearefuU  larke ; 
And  on  his  litle  winges  the  dreame  he  bore 

In  hast  unto  his  lord,  where  he  him  left  afore. 

46  Who  all  this  while,  with  charmes  and  hidden  artes, 
Had  made  a  lady  of  that  other  spright. 
And  fram'd  of  liquid  ayi'e  her  tender  partes, 
So  lively,^  and  so  like  in  all  mens  sight. 
That  weaker  sence  it  could  have  ravisht  quight : 
The  maker  selfe,  for  all  his  wondrous  witt. 
Was  nigh  beguiled  with  so  goodly  sight. 
Her  all  in  white  he  clad,  and  over  it 

Cast  a  black  stole,  most  like  to  seeme  for  Una  fit. 

46  'Now  when  that  ydle  Dreame  was  to  him  brought, 
Unto  that  Elfin  Knight  he  bad  him  fly, 
Where  he  slept  soundly,  void  of  evil  thought, 
And  with  false  shewes  abuse  his  fantasy, 

1  Diverse,  distracting.  2  Carke,  anxiety. 

8  Lively,  lifelike. 


XLV.  9.  —  Una.]  This  is  the  first  time  that  the  lady  accom- 
panying the  Knight  is  called  by  her  name  of  Una,  or  one,  so 
named,  either  on  account  of  the  singleness  of  purpose  character- 
istic of  Tnith,  or  on  account  of  the  unique  excellence  of  her  char- 
acter.   H. 


60  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

In  sort  as  he  him  schooled  privily. 
And  that  new  creature,  borne  without  her  dew,-' 
Full  of  the  makers  guyle,  with  usage  sly 
He  taught  to  imitate  that  Lady  trew, 
Whose  semblance  she  did  carrie  under  feigned  hew, 

47  Thus,  well  instructed,  to  their  worke  they  haste ; 
And,  comming  where  the  Knight  in  slomber  lay, 
The  one  upon  his  hardie  head  him  plaste, 

And  made  him  dreame  of  loves  and  lustfull  play; 
That  nigh  his  manly  hart  did  melt  away. 
Bathed  in  wanton  blis  and  wicked  ioy. 
Then  seemed  him  his  Lady  by  him  lay, 
And  to  him  playnd,  how  that  false  winged  boy 
Her  chaste  hart  had  subdewd  to  learne  dame  Pleas- 
ures toy ; 

48  And  she  her  selfe,  of  beautie  soveraigne  queene, 
Fayre  Venus,  seemde  unto  his  bed  to  bring 
Her,  whom  he,  waking,  evermore  did  weene  ^ 
To  bee  the  chastest  flowre  that  aye  did  spring 
On  earthly  braunch,  the  daughter  of  a  king, 
Now  a  loose  leman  to  vile  service  bound : 

And  eke  the  Graces  seemed  all  to  sing 
Hymen  16  Hymen,  dauncing  all  around ; 
"Whylst  freshest  Flora  her  with  yvie  girlond  crownd. 

49  In  this  great  passion  of  unwonted  lust, 
Or  wonted  feare  of  doing  ought  amis, 

1  Bm'ne  without  her  dew,  produced  without  the  due  and  proper 
qualities  of  a  real  woman.    H. 

2  Weene,  suppose. 


BOOK.    1.       CANTO    1.  51 

He  stai-teth  up,  as  seeming  to  mistrust 
Some  secret  ill,  or  hidden  foe  of  liis : 
Lo,  there  before  his  face  his  Ladie  is, 
Under  blacke  stole  hyding  her  bayted  hooke  ; 
And  as  halfe  blushing  offred  him  to  kis, 
With  gentle  blandishment  and  lovely  looke. 
Most  like  that  Virgin  true,  which  for  her  knight  hira 
took. 

50  All  cleane  dismayd  to  see  so  uncouth  ^  sight 
And  halfe  enraged  at  her  sharaelesse  guise. 

He   thought   have  slaine   her    in    his  fierce    de- 

spight  2  ; 
But,  hastie  heat  tempring  with  sufferance  wise, 
He  stayde  his  hand ;  and  gan  himselfe  advise 
To  prove  his  sense,  and  tempt  her  faigned  truth. 
Wringing  her  hands,  in  wemens  pitteous  wise, 
Tho^  can  she  weepe,  to  stirx-e  up  gentle  ruth* 
Both  for  her  noble  blood,  and  for  her  tender  youth. 

51  And  sayd,  "  Ah  Sir,  my  liege  lord,  and  my  love, 
Shall  I  accuse  the  hidden  cruell  fate. 

And  mightie  causes  wrought  in  heaven  above. 
Or  the  blind  god,  that  doth  me  thus  amate,^ 
For  hoped  love  to  winne  me  certaine  hate  ? 
Yet  thus  pei'force  he  bids  me  do,  or  die. 
Die  is  my  dew ;  yet  rew  my  wretched  state, 
You,  whom  my  hard  avenging  destinie 
Hath  made  iudge  of  my  life  or  death  indifferently : 

1  Vncmlh,  strange.  *  Ruth,  pity. 

2  Despight,  ai!ger.  ^  Amate,  confound,  overpower. 
8  77iO,  then. 


52  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

i-2  "  Your  owne  deare  sake  forst  me  at  first  to  leave 
Mj  fathers  kingdom  "  —  There  she  stopt  with  teares ; 
Her  swollen  hart  her  speech  seemd  to  bereave ; 
And  then  againe  begonne  :  "  My  weaker  yeares, 
Captiv'd  to  fortune  and  frayle  worldly  feares, 
Fly  to  your  fayth  for  succour  and  sure  ayde  : 
Let  me  not  die  in  lansfuor  and  lonof  teai*es." 
"  Why,  Dame,"  quoth  he,  "  what  hath  ye  thus  dis- 
mayd  ? 

What  frayes^  ye,  that  were  wont  to  comfort  me  af- 
frayd?" 

53  "  Love  of  yourselfe,"  she  saide,  "  and  deare  con- 

straint, 
Lets  me  not  sleepe,  but  waste  the  wearie  night 
In  secret  anguish  and  unpittied  plaint, 
Whiles  you  in  carelesse  sleepe  are  drowned  quight.' 
Her  doubtfuU  words  made  that  redoubted  kni<;ht 
Suspect  her  truth ;  yet  since  no'  untruth  he  knew, 
Her  fawning  love  with  foule  disdainefuU  spight 
He  would  not  shend  ^ ;  but  said, "  Deare  Dame,  I  rew, 
That  for  my  sake  unknowne  such  griefe  unto  you  grew  : 

64  "  Assure  your  selfe,  it  fell  not  all  to  ground ; 
For  all  so  deare  as  life  is  to  my  hart, 
I  deeme  your  love,  and  hold  me  to  you  bound : 
Ne  let  vaine  feares  procure  your  needlesse  smart, 

1  Frayes,  affriglits.  2  Shend,  put  to  shame. 

LII.  1.  Your  oime  deare  sake,  &c.J  This  is  not  true,  as  Una 
did  not  know  St.  George  till  she  came  to  the  court  of  tne  Faerie 
Queene.    H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    I.  53 

Where  cause  is  none ;  but  to  your  rest  depart." 
Not  all  content,  yet  seerad  she  to  appease 
Her  mournefull  plaintes,  beguiled  of  her  art, 
And  fed  with  words,  that  could  not  chose  but  please: 
So  slyding  softly  forth,  she  turnd  as  to  her  ease. 

55  Long  after  lay  he  musing  at  her  mood, 

Much  griev'd  to  thinke  that  gentle  dame  so  light, 
For  whose  defence  he  was  to  shed  his  blood. 
At  last  dull  wearines  of  former  fight 
Having  yrockt  asleepe  his  irkesome  spright, 
That  troublous  Drearae  gan  freshly  tosse  his  braine 
With  bowres,  and  beds,  and  ladies  deare  dehght : 
But,  when  he  saw  his  labour  all  was  vaine, 

With  that  misformed  Spright  he  backe  returnd  againe. 


54  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 


CANTO      II. 


The  guilefull  great  Enchaunter  parts 
The  Eedcrosse  Kniglit  from  Truth: 

Into  whose  stead  faire  Falshood  steps, 
And  workes  him  woefull  rath.i 


1  By  this  the  northerne  wagoner  ^  had  set 
His  sevenfold  teme  behind  the  stedfast  starre 
That  was  in  ocean  waves  yet  never  wet, 
But  firme  is  fixt,  and  sendeth  light  from  farre 
To  al  that  in  the  wide  deepe  wandring  arre ; 
And  chearefuU  Chaunticlere  with  his  note  shrill 
Had  warned  once,  tliat  Phoebus  fiery  carre 

In  hast  was  climbing  up  the  easterne  hill, 
Full  envious  that  night  his  roorae  did  fill : 

2  "When  those  accursed  messengers  of  hell. 

That    feigning    Dreame,   and  that   faire-forged 

Spright, 
Came  to  their  wicked  maister,  and  gan  tell 
Their  bootelesse  paines,  and  ill-succeeding  night : 

1  Ruth,  pity,  sorrow.  2  i.  e.  Bootes. 


COOK   I.      CAJv^TO    II.  56 

Wlio,  all  in  rage  to  see  his  skilfull  misfht 
Deluded  so,  gan  threaten  hellish  paine 
And  sad  Prose  rpines  wrath,  them  to  aifright. 
But,  when  he  saw  his  threatning  was  but  vaine, 
He  cast  about,  and  searcht  liis  baleful  bokes  againe. 

3  Eftsoones  he  tooke  that  miscreated  Faire, 
And  that  false  other  Spright,  on  whom  he  spred 
A  seeming  body  of  the  subtile  aire. 

Like  a  young  squire,  in  loves  and  lustyhed* 
His  wanton  daies  that  ever  loosely  led. 
Without  regard  of  armes  and  dreaded  fight ; 
Those  twoo  he  tooke,  and  in  a  secrete  bed, 
Covered  with  darkenes  and  misdeeming^  night, 
Them  both  together  laid,  to  ioy  in  vaine  delight 

4  Forthwith  he  runnes  with  feigned-faithfull  hast 
Unto  his  guest,  who,  after  troublous  sights 

And  dreames,  gan  now  to  take  more  sound  repast; 
Whom  suddenly  he  wakes  with  fearful  frights. 
As  one  aghast  with  feends  or  damned  sprights, 
And  to  him  cals  :  "  Rise,  rise,  unhappy  swaine, 
That  here  wex  old  in  sleepe,  whiles  wicked  wights 
Have  knit  themselves  in  Venus  shameful  chaine : 
Come,  see   where  your  false  Lady  doth  her  honor 
staine." 

5  All  in  amaze  he  suddenly  up  start 

With  sword  in  hand,  and  with  the  old  man  went ; 
Who  soone  him  brought  into  a  secret  part, 

1  Lustyhed,  lustfulness.         2  Msdeeminff,  causing  to  mistake. 


56  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Where  that  false  couple  were  full  closely  ment^ 
In  wanton  lust  and  lend  enibracement : 
Which  when  he  saw,  he  burnt  with  gealous  fire ; 
The  eie  of  reason  was  with  rage  yblent  ^  ; 
And  would  have  slaine  them  in  his  furious  ire, 
But  hardly  was  restreined  of  that  aged  sire. 

6  Retourning  to  his  bed  in  torment  great, 
And  bitter  anguish  of  his  ^  guilty  sight, 

He  could  not  rest :  but  did  his  stout  heart  eat. 
And  wast  his  inward  gall  with  deepe  despight, 
Yrkesome  of  life,  and  too  long  lingring  night. 
At  last  faire  Hesperus  in  highest  skie 
Had  spent  his  lampe,  and  brought  forth  dawning 

light  ; 
Then  up  he  rose,  and  clad  him  hastily  ; 
The  Dwarfe  him  brought  his  steed :  so  both  away  do  fly. 

7  Now  when  the  rosy-tingred  Morning  faire, 
Weary  of  aged  Tithones  saffron  bed. 

Had  spred  her  purple  robe  through  deawy  aire, 
And  the  high  hils  Titan  discovered, 
The  royall  Virgin  shooke  of  drousyhed  : 
And,  rising  forth  out  of  her  baser  bowre,* 
Lookt  for  her  knight,  who  far  away  was  fled, 
And    for    her  dwarfe,   that   wont    to   wait    each 
howre  :  — 
Then   gan  she  wail  and  weepe   to  see   that  woeful 
stowre.^ 

1  Ment,  mingled.         *  Borore,  clisimber  (lower  than  Aurora's). 

2  Ybknt,  b'inded.        ^  Sloivre,  trouble. 
8Qu.  </«s? 


BOOK    I.    CAXTO    II.  57 

9    And  after  him  she  rode  with  so  much  speede, 
As  her  slowe  beast  could  make  ;  but  all  in  vaiue : 
For  him  so  far  had  borne  his  light-foot  steede, 
Pricked  with  wrath  and  fiery  fierce  disdaine, 
That  him  to  follow  was  but  fruitlesse  paine : 
Yet  she  her  weary  limbes  would  never  rest ; 
But  every  hil  and  dale,  each  wood  and  plaine, 
Did  search,  sore  grieved  in  her  gentle  brest, 

He  so  ungently  left  her,  whome  she  loved  best. 

9  But  subtill  Archimago,  when  his  guests 
He  saw  divided  into  double  parts, 

And  Una  wand  ring  in  woods  and  forrests, 
(Th'  end  of  his  drift,)  he  praisd  his  divelish  arts, 
That  had  such  might  over  true-meaning  harts: 
Yet  rests  not  so,  but  other  meanes  doth  make, 
How  he  may  worke  unto  her  further  smarts : 
For  lier  he  hated  as  the  hissing  snake. 
And  in  her  many  troubles  did  most  pleasure  take. 

10  He  then  devisde,  himselfe  how  to  disguise ; 
For  by  his  mighty  science  he  could  take 

As  many  formes  and  shapes  in  seeming  wise, 
As  ever  Proteus  to  himselfe  could  make: 
Sometime  a  fowle,  sometime  a  fish  in  lake, 
Now  like  a  foxe,  now  like  a  dragon  fell ; 
That  of  himselfe  he  ofte  for  feare  would  quake, 
And  oft  would  Hie  away.     O  who  can  tell 
The  hidden  powre  of  herbes,and  might  of  magick  spel! 

1  But  now  seemde  best  the  person  to  put  on 
Of  that  good  Kniglit,  his  late  beguiled  guest. 


58  THE    ITAEUIE    QUEENE. 

In  mighty  armes  he  was  yclad  anon, 
And  silver  shield  ;  upon  his  coward  brest 
A  bloody  crosse,  and  on  his  craven  crest 
A  bounch  of  heares  discolourd  diversly. 
Full  iolly  knight  he  seemde,  and  wel  addrest^; 
And,  when  he  sate  uppon  his  courser  free, 
Saint  George  himselfe  ye  would  have  deemed  him  to  be. 

12  But  he,  the  knight  whose  semblaunt  he  did  beare, 
The  true  Saint  George,  was  Avandred  far  away, 
Still  flying  from  his  thoughts  and  gealous  feare : 
Will  was  his  guide,  and  griefe  led  him  astray. 

At  last  him  chaunst  to  meete  upon  the  way 
A  faithlesse  Sarazin,  all  armde  to  point, 
In  whose  great  shield  was  writ  with  letters  gay 
Sans  foy  ;  full  large  of  limbe  and  every  ioint 
He  was,  and  cared  not  for  God  or  man  a  point."'* 

13  Hee  had  a  faire  companion  of  his  way, 
A  goodly  lady  clad  in  scarlot  red, 

Purfled  ^  with  gold  and  pearle  of  rich  assay  * ; 
And  like^  a  Persian  mitre  on  her  hed 
Shee  wore,  with  crowns  and  owches®  garnished, 
The  which  her  lavish  lovers  to  her  gave  : 


o' 


1  Addrest,  drast,  equipped.  *  Assay,  proof,  value. 

^  Point,     whit.  6  Like,  i.  e.  a  thing  like. 

8  Purfled,  trimmed,  fringed.  6  Owches,  jewels. 


XII.  6. — A  faithlesse  Sarazin.]  In  the  romances  of  chivalry 
any  knight,  who  was  not  a  Chi'istian,  was  called  a  Saracen.    H. 

XII.  8.  —  Sans  foy,\  i.  e.  Faith-less.  He  represents  Unbelief, 
or  perhaps  Paganism.    H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    II.  59- 

Her  wanton  palfrey  all  was  overspred 
With  tinsell  trappings,  woven  like  a  wave, 
Whose  bridle  rung  with  golden  bels  and  bosses  brayej. 

14  With  faire  disport,  and  courting  dalliaunce. 
She  intertainde  her  lover  all  the  way : 
But,  when  she  saw  the  Knight  his  speare  advauncej. 
Shee  soone  left  of  her  mirth  and  wanton  play, 
And  bad  her  knight  addresse  him  to  the  fray  ; 
His  foe  was  nigh  at  hand.     He,  prickte  with. pride, 
And  hope  to  winne  his  ladies  hearte  that  day, 
Forth  spurred  fast ;  adowne  his  coursers  side 

The  red  bloud  trickling  staind  the  way,  as  he  did  ride. 

lb  The  Knight  of  the  Redcrosse,  when  him  he  spide 
Spurring  so  bote  with  rage  dispiteous, 
Gan  fairely  couch  his  speare,  and  towai-ds  ride : 
Soone  meete  they  both,  both  fell  and  furious. 
That,  daunted  with  theyr  forces  hideous^ 
Their  steeds  doe  stagger,  and  amazed  stand ; 
And  eke  themselves,  too  rudely  rigorous, 
Astonied  with  the  stroke  of  their  owne  hand. 

Doe  backe  rebutte,^  and  ech  to  other  yealdeth  land. 

It  As  when  two  rams,  stird  with  ambitious  pride, 
Fight  for  the  rule  of  the  rich-fleeced  flocke. 
Their  horned  fronts  so  fierce  on  either  side 
Doe  meete,  that,  with  the  terror  of  the  shocke 
Astonied,  both  stand  sencelesse  as  a  blocke, 
ForgetfuU  of  the  hanging  victory : 
So  stood  these  twaine,  unmoved  as  a  rocke, 

1  BelmUe,  recoil. 


60  THE    FAliRIE    QUEEN E. 

Both  staring  fierce,  and  liokling  idely 
Tlie  brolcen  reliques^  of  tlieir  former  cruelty. 

17  Tlie  Sarazin,  sore  daunted  with  the  bufFe,*^ 
Snatcheth  his  sword,  and  fiercely  to  him  flies ; 
Who  well  it  wards,  and  quyteth  cuff  with  cuff: 
Each  others  equall  puissaunce  envies,* 

And  through  their  iron  sides  with  cruell  spies  ^ 
Does  seeke  to  perce  ;  repining^  courage  yields 
No  foote  to  foe :  the  flashing  fier  flies, 
As  from  a  forge,  out  of  their  burning  shields  ; 
And  streams  of  purple   bloud  new  die  the  verdant 
fields. 

18  "  Curse  on  that  Crosse,"  quoth  then  the  Sarazin, 
"  That  keepes  thy  body  from  the  bitter  fitt' ; 
Dead  long  ygoe,  I  wote,  thou  haddest  bin. 

Had  not  that  charme  from  thee  forwarned  itt : 
But  yet  I  warne  thee  now  assured  sitt, 
And  hide  thy  head."     Therewith  upon  his  crest 
With  rigor  so  outrageous  he  smitt, 
That  a  large  share''  it  hewd  out  of  the  rest, 
And  glauncing  downe  his  shield  from  blame  him  fairely 
blest.8 

10  Who,  thereat  wondrous  wroth,  the  sleeping  spark 
Of  native  vertue  gan  eftsoones  revive  ; 

1 1,  e.  their  spears.  6  I.  e.  the  mortal  agony. 

2  Buffe.,  blow.  f  Share,  slice. 

8  KnvlvSy  emulates.  8  \,  e.  saved  him  from  harm. 

*  Spies,  i.  e.  spyings,  thrusts  that  try  to  find  entrance. 
"  Repining,  indignant. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    II.  61 

And,  at  his  haughty  helmet  making  mark, 
So  hugely  stroke,  that  it  the  Steele  did  rive, 
And  cleft  his  head :  He,  tumbling  downe  alive, 
With  bloudy  mouth  his  mother  earth  did  kis, 
Greeting  liis  grave  :  his  grudging  ghost  did  strive 
With  the  fraile  flesh  ;  at  last  it  flitted  is. 
Whether  the  soules  doe  fly  of  men  that  Uve  amis. 

20  The  Lady,  when  she  saw  her  champion  fall, 
Like  the  old  ruines  of  a  broken  towre, 
Staid  not  to  waile  his  woefull  funerall ; 

But  from  him  fled  away  with  all  her  powre : 
Who  after  her  as  hastily  gan  scowre. 
Bidding  the  Dwarfe  with  him  to  bring  away 
The  Sarazins  shield,  signe  of  the  conqueroure  ; 
Her  scone  he  overtooke,  and  bad  to  stay ; 
For  present  cause  was  none  of  dread  her  to  dismay. 

21  Shee  turning  backe,  with  ruefuU  countenaunce. 
Gride,  "  Mercy,  mercy,  Sir,  vouchsafe  to  show 
On  silly  dame,  subiect  to  hard  mischaunce. 
And  to  your  mighty  wil."     Her  humblesse*  low 
In  so  ritch  weedes,  and  seeming  glorious  show. 
Did  much  emmove  his  stout  heroicke  heart ; 
And  said,  "  Deare  Dame,  your  suddein  overthrow 
Much  rueth^  me  ;  but  now  put  feare  apart. 

And  tel,  both  who  ye  be,  and  who  that  tooke  your 
part." 

22  Melting  in  teares,  then  gan  shee  thus  lament : 
«  Tlie  wreched  woman,  whom  unhappy  howre 

1  Flumblesse,  humiUty.  ^  Rueth,  giieves. 

VOL.    I.  10 


62  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Hath  now  made  thrall  to  your  commandement. 
Before  that  angry  heavens  list  to  lowre, 
And  fortune  false  betraide  me  to  your  powre, 
"Was,  (0  what  now  availeth  that  I  was  !) 
Borne  the  sole  daughter  of  an  emperour  ; 
He  that  the  wide  west  under  his  rule  has, 
And    high  hath   set  his  throne  where  Tibei'is  doth 
pas. 

23  "  He,  in  the  first  flowre  of  my  freshest  age, 
Betrothed  me  unto  the  onely  haire 

Of  a  most  mighty  king,  most  rich  and  sage  ; 
Was  never  prince  so  faithfull  and  so  faire, 
Was  never  prince  so  meeke  and  debonaire^I 
But,  ere  my  hoped  day  of  spousall  shone, 
My  dearest  lord  fell  from  high  honors  staire 
Into  the  hands  of  hys  accursed  fone,^ 
And  cruelly  was  slaine  ;  that  shall  I  ever  mone ! 

24  "  His  blessed  body,  spoild  of  lively  bi*eath. 
Was  afterward,  I  know  not  how,  convaid,^ 
And  fro  me  hid  ;  of  whose  most  innocent  death 
When  tidings  came  to  mee,  unhappy  maid, 

O,  how  great  sorrow  my  sad  soule  assaid*  ! 
Then  forth  I  went  his  woefuU  corse  to  find. 
And  many  yeares  throughout  the  world  I  straid, 
A  virgin  widow ;  whose  deepe-wounded  mind 
With  love  long  time   did   languish,   as    the    striken 
hind. 


1  Debonnire,  courteous.  8  (jmvaid,  secretly  can-'ed  oflf. 

8  F&ne,  fc  es.  *  Asaaid,  assailed. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    II.  63 

26  "  At  last  it  chaunced  this  proud  Sarazin 
To  meete  tne  wandring ;  who  perforce  me  led 
With  him  away  ;  but  yet  could  never  win 
The  fort,  that  ladies  hold  in  soveraigne  dread. 
There  lies  he  now  with  foule  dishonor  dead, 
Who,  whiles  he  livde,  was  called  proud  Sansfoy, 
The  eldest  of  three  brethren  ;  all  three  bred 
Of  one  bad  sire,  whose  youngest  is  Sansioy  ; 

And  twixt  them  both  was  born  the  bloudy  bold  Sans- 
ioy. 

26  "  In  this  sad  plight,  friendlesse,  unfortunate, 
Now  miserable  I  Fidessa  dwell, 
Craving  of  you,  in  pitty  of  my  state. 

To  doe  none  ill,  if  please  ye  not  doe  well." 
He  in  great  passion  ^  al  this  while  did  dwell. 
More  busying  his  quicke  eies,  her  face  to  view, 
Then  "^  his  dull  eares,  to  heare  what  shee  did  tell ; 
And  said,  "  Faire  Lady,  hart  of  flint  would  raw 
The  undeserved  woes  and  sorrowes  which  ye  shew. 

27  "  Henceforth  in  safe  assuraunce  may  ye  rest. 
Having  both  found  a  new  friend  you  to  aid. 
And  lost  an  old  foe  that  did  you  molest : 
Better  new  friend  then  an  old  foe  is  said." 

AV  ith  chaunge  of  chear  the  seeming-simple  maid 
Let  fal  her  eien,  as  shamefast,  to  the  earth. 
And  yeelding  soft,  in  that  she  nought  gainsaid. 

1  Patsiora,  i.e.  of  pity.  2   77ien,  than. 


64  THK    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

So  forth  they  rode,  he  feining  seemely  merth, 
A.nd  shea  coy  lookes :  so  dainty,  they  say,  maketh  derth. 

28  Long  time  they  thus  together  traveiled ; 
Til,  weary  of  their  way,  they  came  at  last 
Where  grew  two  goodly  trees,  that  faire  did  spred 
Their  armes  abroad,  with  gray  mosse  overcast ; 
And  their  greene  leaves,  trembling  with  every  blast, 
Made  a  calme  shadowe  far  in  compasse  round : 
The  fearefuU  shepheard,  often  there  aghast, 
Under  them  never  sat,  ne  wont  there  sound 

His  raery  oaten  pipe  ;  but  shund  th'  unlucky  ground. 

i29  But  this  good  Knight,  soone  as  he  them  can  spie, 
For  the  coole  shade  him  thither  hastly  got : 
For  golden  Phccbus,  now  ymounted  hie, 
Fi-om  liery  wheeles  of  his  faire  chariot 
Hurled  his  beame  so  scorching  cruell  hot, 
That  living  creature  mote  it  not  abide ; 
And  his  new  Lady  it  endured  not. 
There  they  alight,  in  hope  themselves  to  hide 

Fiona  the  fierce  heat,  and  rest  their  weary  limbs  a 
tide.* 

30  Faire-seemely  pleasaunce  ^  each  to  other  makes, 
With  goodly  purposes,^  there  as  they  sit  ; 
And  m  his  falsed  *  fancy  he  her  takes 

1  Tide,  while.  3  Purposes,  discourses 

2  Pleasaunce,  pleasure.  *  Falsed,  deceived. 

XXVII.  9.  —  Dainty  maketh  derth.]     "  Niceiiess  makes  an  arti 
ficial   scarcity,  without  necessity.     The  aflected  shyness  of  the 
Ittdy  was  the  only  obstacle  to  familiarity."    Nakes. 


BOOK    I.       CAXTO    II.  65 

To  be  the  fairest  wiglit,  that  lived  yit ; 
Which  to  expi-esse,  he  beuds  his  gentle  wit ; 
And,  thinking  of  those  braunches  greene  to  frame 
A  girlond  tor  her  dainty  forehead  fit, 
He  pluckt  a  bough  ;  out  of  whose  rifte  there  canie 
Sraal  drops  of  gory  bloud,  that  trickled  down  the  same. 

31  Therewith  a  piteous  yelling  voice  was  heard, 
Crying,  "  0  spare  with  guilty  hands  to  teare 
My  tender  sides  in  this  rough  rynd  embard  ^ ; 
But  fly,  ah !  fly  far  hence  away,  for  feare 
Least  to  you  hap  that  happened  to  me  heare. 
And  to  this  wretched  lady,  my  deare  love ; 

O  too  deare  love,  love  bought  with  death  too  deare  !" 
Astond  ^  he  stood,  and  up  his  heare  did  hove^  ; 
And  with  that  suddein  horror  could  no  member  move. 

32  At  last  whenas  the  dreadfuU  passion 
Was  overpast,  and  manhood  well  awake  ; 
Yet  musing  at  the  straunge  occasion, 

And  doubting  much  his  sence,  he  thus  bespake : 
""  What  voice  of  damned  ghost  from  Limbo  Lake, 
Or  guilefuU  spright  wandring  in  empty  aire, 
(Both  which  fraile  men  doe  oftentimes  mistake,) 
Sends  to  my  doubtful  eares  these  speaches  rare,^ 
And  ruefull  plants,^  me  bidding  guiltlesse  blood  to 
spare  ?  " 

33  Then  groning  deep  :  "  Nor  damned  ghost,"  quoth  he, 
"  Nor  guileful  sprite,  to  thee  these  words  doth  speake ; 

^  Embard,  shut  up.  8  Uote,  rise.  ^  Plants,  plainte. 

2  Astond,  confounded.         *  Rare,  strange. 


66  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  once  a  man,  Fradubio,  now  a  tree ; 
Wretched  man,  wretched  tree  !  whose  nature  weake 
A  cruell  witch,  her  cursed  will  to  wreake, 
Hath  thus  traustbrmd,  and  plast  ^  in  open  plaines, 
Where  Boreas  doth  blow  full  bitter  bleake, 
And  scorching  sunne  does  dry  my  secret  vaines  ; 
For  though   a  tree   I  seme,  yet  cold  and  heat  me 
paines." 

J4  "  Say  on,  Fradubio,  then,  or  man  or  tree," 

Quoth  then  the  Knight ;  "  by  whose  mischievous  arts 

Art  thou  misshaped  thus,  as  now  I  see  ? 

He  oft  Huds  med'cine  who  his  griefe  imparts ;' 

But  double  griefs  afflict  concealing  harts  ; 

As  raging  flames  who  striveth  to  suppresse." 

"  The  author  then,"  said  he,  "  of  all  my  smarts, 

Is  one  Duessa,  a  false  sorceresse, 

That  many  errant  knights  hath  broght  to  wretched- 
nesse. 

85  "  In  prime  of  youthly  yeares,  when  corage  hott 
The  fire  of  love  and  ioy  of  chevalree 
First  kindled  in  my  brest,  it  was  my  lott 
To  love  this  gentle  lady,  whome  ye  see 
Now  not  a  lady,  but  a  seeming  tree  ; 
With  whome  as  once  I  rode  accompanyde, 
Me  chaunced  of  a  knight  encountred  bee, 

1  Plast,  placed. 

XXXIII.  3.  —  Fradubio.]     Fradubio  is  the  Doubter. 

XXXIV.  8.  —  Duessa.]  Duessa  (double-faced)  is  the  true 
name  of  the  woman  iitteiiding  the  Knight  under  the  assumed  name 
of  Fidessa. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    II.  67 

That  had  a  like  faire  lady  by  his  syde  ; 
Lyke  a  faire  lady,  but  did  fowle  Duessa  hyde  ; 

36  "  "Whose  forged  ^  beauty  he  did  take  in  hand  ' 
All  other  dames  to  have  exceded  farre  ; 

I  in  defence  of  mine  did  likewise  stand, 
Mine,  that  did  then  shine  as  the  morning  starre. 
So  both  to  batteill  fierce  arraunged  arre : 
In  which  his  harder  fortune  was  to  fall 
Under  my  speare ;  such  is  the  dye  ^  of  warre. 
His  lady,  left  as  a  prise  martiall. 
Did  yield  her  comely  person  to  be  at  my  call. 

37  "  So  doubly  lov'd  of  ladies  unlike  faire, 

Th'  one  seeming  such,  the  other  such  indeede, 
One  day  in  doubt  I  cast  for  to  compare 
Whether  *  in  beauties  glorie  did  exceede  ; 
A  rosy  girlond  was  the  victors  meede. 
Both  seemde  to  win,  and  both  seemde  won  to  bee  ; 
So  hard  the  discord  was  to  be  agreede. 
Fralissa  was  as  faire  as  faire  mote  bee. 
And  ever  false  Duessa  seemde  as  faire  as  shee. 

38  "  The  wicked  Witch,  now  seeing  all  this  while 
The  doubtfuU  ballaunce  equally  to  sway, 
What  not  by  right,  she  cast  to  win  by  guile; 
And,  by  her  hellish  science,  raisd  streight  way 

1  Forged,  false.  ^  -O.'/*"-  l<^t. 

2  Take  in  hand,  maintain.  ■*  IVIielhei;  whicli  of  the  two. 


yXXVII.  S.  —  Fralissa,]  i.  e.  fragile,  or  frail.    H. 


08  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

A  foguy  mist  that  overcast  the  day, 
And  a  dull  blast,  that,  breathing  on  her  face, 
Dimmed  her  former  beauties  shining  ray, 
And  with  foule  ugly  forme  did  her  disgrace  : 
Then  was  she   fayre   alone,  when  none  was  faire  in 
place.^ 

39  "  Then  cride  she  out,  '  Fye,  fye,  deformed  wight, 
Whose  borrowed  beautie  now  appeareth  plaine 
To  have  before  bewitched  all  mens  sight : 

0  leave  her  soone,  or  let  her  soone  be  slaine ! ' 
Her  loathly  visage  viewing  with  disdaine, 
Eftsoones  I  thought  her  such  as  she  me  told, 
And  would  have  kild  her ;  but  with  faigned  paine 
The  false  Witch  did  my  wrathful!  hand  withhold  : 

So  left  her,  where  she  now  is  tui'nd  to  treen  mould. 

40  "  Thensforth  I  tooke  Duessa  for  my  dame, 
And  in  the  Witch  unweeting  ^  ioyd  long  time  ; 
Ne  ever  wist,  but  that  she  was  the  same : 
Till  on  a  day  (that  day  is  everie  Prime, 
When  witches  wont  do  penance  for  their  crime) 

1  chaunst  to  see  her  in  her  proper  hew, 
Bathing  her  selfe  in  origane^  and  thyme: 
A  lilthy  foule  old  woman  I  did  vew. 

That  ever  to  have  toucht  her  1  did  deadly  rew. 

1  In  place,  that  was  present.  8  Orie/ane,  wild  marjoram. 

2  Uniceeilny,  unknowing. 

XXXVIIl.  o. — A  Jhfjgy  mist.]  Here  the  effects  of  calumny 
in  blasting  a  fair  reputation  are  expressed.   H. 

XL.  4.  —  Kverie  Prime,  j  Prime  here  means  sjn-ing.  It  was 
believed  that  witciies  were  obliged  to  do  penance  at  certain  sea- 
sons in  their  proper  shni)e. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    II.  69 

41  "Her  neather  partes  misshapen,  monstruous, 
Were  hidcl  in  water,  that  I  could  not  see ; 
But  they  did  seeme  more  foule  and  hideous, 
Then^  womans  shape  man  would  beleeve  to  bee. 
Thensforth  from  her  most  beastly  companie 

I  gan  refraine,  in  minde  to  slipp  away, 
Soone  as  appeard  safe  opportunitie ; 
For  danger  great,  if  not  assurd  decay ,^ 
I  saw  before  mine  eyes,  if  I  were  knowne  to  strays. 

42  "  The  divelish  hag,  by  chaunges  of  ray  chenre, 
Perceiv'd   my  thought  ;    and,   drownd    in    sleepie- 

night, 
With  wicked  herbes  and  oyntments  did  besmeare 
My  body  all,  through  charmes  and  raagicke  might, 
That  all  my  senses  were  bereaved  quight : 
Then  brought  she  me  into  this  desei-t  waste,. 
And  by  my  v/retched  lovers  side  me  pight  ^  ;. 
Where  now  enclosd  in  wooden  wals  full  faste, 
Banisht  from    living   wights,  our  wearie    dales  we 

waste." 

43  "  But  how  long  time,"  said  then  the  Elfin  Knight, 
"  Are  you  in  this  misformed  hous  to  dwell  ?  " 
"We  may  not  chaunge,"  quoth  he,  "  this  evill  plight 
Till  we  be  bathed  in  a  living  well : 

That  is  the  terme  prescribed  by  the  spell." 
"  0  how,"  sayd  he,  "  mote  I  that  well  out  find, 
That  may  restore  you  to  your  wonted  welP? 


I  Thm,  than.  «  ^'V''.  P'^'^ed. 

8  Decay,  destniction.  *  Wdl,  weU-being. 


70  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

"Time  and  suiVised  fates  to  former  kynd^ 
Shall  us  restore  ;  none  else  from  hence  may  us  un- 
bynd." 

41  The  false  Duessa,  now  Fidessa  hight, 
Heard  how  in  vaine  Fradubio  did  lament, 
And  knew  well  all  was  true.     But  the  good  Knight, 
Full  of  sad  feare  and  ghastly  dreriment,^ 
When  all  this  speech  the  living  tree  had  spent, 
The  bleeding  bough  did  thrust  into  the  ground, 
That  from  the  blood  he  might  be  innocent. 
And  with  fresh  clay  did  close  the  wooden  wound : 

Then  turning  to  his  Lady,  dead  with  feare  her  fownd. 

45  Her  seeming  dead  he  fownd  with  feigned  feare, 
As  all  unweeting^  of  that^  well  she  knew; 
And  paynd  hiraselfe  with  busie  care  to  reare 
Her  out  of  carelesse  swowne.     Her  eylids  blew, 
And  dimmed  sight  with  pale  and  deadly  hew, 
At  last  she  up  gan  lift ;  with  trembling  cheare 
Her  up  he  tooke,  (too  simple  and  too  trew,) 
And  oft  her  kist.     At  length,  all  passed  feare. 

He  set  her  on  her  steede,  and  forward  forth  did  bears. 

■1  Kynd,  nature.  *  Unweeting,  unknowing. 

2  Breriment,  sorrow.  *  TJiat,  that  which. 


Of  these  enchanted  lovers  we  hear  no  more.  Their  disenchant- 
tiaent  would  pi-obably  have  been  effected  in  some  subsequent  book, 
had  the  poem  been  completed.    H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IH.  71 


CANTO    III. 


Forsaken  Trath  long  seekes  her  Love, 
And  makes  the  lyon  mylde  ; 

Marres  blind  Devotions  mart,  and  fals 
In  hand  of  leachour  vylde. 


1  Nought  is  there  under  heavn's  wide  hollownesse, 
That  moves  more  deare  compassion  of  mind, 
Then  beautie  brought  t'  unworthie  wretchednesse 
Through  envies  snares,  or  fortunes  freakes  unkind. 
I,  whether  lately  through  her  brightnes  blynd, 

Or  through  alleageance,  and  fast  fealty, 
Which  I  do  owe  unto  all  womankynd, 
Feele  my  hart  perst  with  so  great  agony. 
When  such  I  see,  that  all  for  pitty  I  could  dy. 

2  And  now  it  is  empassioned  ^  so  deepe. 
For  fairest  Unaes  sake,  of  wdiom  I  sing. 

That  my  frayle  eies  these  lines  with  teares  do  steepe, 
To  thinke  how  she  through  guyleful  handeling, 
Though  true  as  touch,^  though  daughter  of  a  king. 
Though  faire  as  ever  living  wight  was  fayre, 
Thoujih  nor  in  word  nor  deede  ill  meriting, 
Is  from  her  Knight  divorced  in  despayre, 
And  her  dew  loves  dery  v'd  ^  to  that  vile  Witches  shay  re. 

1  Empassioned,  moved.  «  Deryv'd,  transfeiTed, 

2  Touch,  touchstone. 


72  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

3  Yet  she,  most  faithful!  ladie,  all  this  while 
Forsaken,  wofull,  solitarie  mayd, 

Far  from  all  peoples  preace,*  as  in  exile, 
In  wildernesse  and  wastfuU  deserts  strayd, 
To  seeke  her  Knight ;  who,  subtily  betrayd 
Through  that  late   vision    which   th'   Enchaunter 

wrought 
Had  her  abandond.     She,  of  nought  aifrayd, 
Through  woods  and  wastnes  wide  him  daily  sought ; 
Yet  wished  tydinges  none  of  him  unto  her  brought. 

4  One  day,  nigh  wearie  of  the  yrkesome  way, 
From  her  unhastie  beast  she  did  alight ; 
And  on  the  grasse  her  dainty  limbs  did  lay 
In  secrete  shadow,  far  from  all  mens  sight ; 
From  her  fayre  head  her  fillet  she  undight,^ 
And  layd  her  stole  aside.  Her  angels  face, 
As  the  great  eye  of  heaven,  shyned  bright, 
And  made  a  sunshine  in  the  shady  place ; 

Did  never  mortall  eye  behold  such  heavenly  grace. 

5  It  fortuned,  out  of  the  thickest  wood 
A  ramping  lyon  rushed  suddeinly, 
Hunting  full  greedy  after  salvage  blood  : 
Soone  as  the  royall  Virgin  he  did  spy, 

1  Preace,  press  or  throng-  '■*  Ifndight,  took  off. 


V.  2.  —  .4  ramping  lyon.]  By  the  lion  we  are  to  understand, 
as  Upton  conjectures,  Henry  the  Eighth,  and  the  homage  he  pays 
to  Una  denotes  the  English  monarch's  accession  to  the  Reformed 
Faith.    C. 


liOOK    I.      CANTO    III.  73 

"With  gaping  mouth  at  her  ran  greedily, 
To  have  attonce  devourd  her  tender  corse : 
But  to  tlie  pray  whenas  he  drew  more  ny, 
His  bloody  rage  aswaged  with  remorse,^ 
And,  with  the  sight  amazd,  forgat  his  furious  forse. 

6  Instead  thereof  he  kist  her  wearie  feet, 
And  lickt  her  lilly  hands  with  fawning  tong ; 
As  he  her  wronged  innocence  did  weet."'^ 

0  how  can  beautie  maister  the  most  strong. 
And  simple  truth  subdue  avenging  wrong ! 
Whose  yielded  pryde  and  pi'oud  submission, 
Still  dreading  death,  when  she  had  marked  long, 
Her  hart  gan  melt  in  great  compassion ; 
A.nd  drizling  teares  did  shed  for  pure  affection. 

7  "  The  lyon,  lord  of  everie  beast  in  field," 
Quoth  she,  "  his  princely  puissance  doth  abate. 
And  mightie  proud  to  humble  weake  does  yield, 
ForgetfuU  of  the  hungry  rage,  which  late 

Him  prickt,  in  pittie  of  my  sad  estate :  — 
But  he,  my  lyon,  and  my  noble  lord. 
How  does  he  find  in  cruell  hart  to  hate 
Her,  that  him  lov'd,  and  ever  most  adord 
As  the  god  of  my  life  ?  why  hath  he  me  abhord  ?  " 


8  Redounding*  teares  did  choke  th'  end  of  her  plaint 
Which  softly  ecchoed  from  the  neighbour  wood ; 
And,  sad  to  see  her  sorrowfuU  constraint, 


1  Remorne,  pity.  8  Redounding^  ovei-flowing. 

2  Wti  t,  know. 


74  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

The  kingly  beast  upon  her  gazing  stood  ; 
With  pittie  calmd,  downe  fell  his  angry  mood. 
At  last,  in  close  hart  shutting  up  her  payne. 
Arose  the  Virgin  borne  of  heavenly  brood, 
And  to  her  snowy  palfrey  got  agayne. 
To  seeke  her  strayed  champion  if  she  might  attayne. 

9  The  lyon  would  not  leave  her  desolate. 
But  with  her  went  along,  as  a  strong  gard 
Of  her  chast  person,  and  a  faythfuU  mate 
Of  her  sad  troubles  and  misfortunes  hard  : 
Still,  when  she  slept,  he  kept  both  watch  and  ward  j 
And,  when  she  wakt,  he  way  ted  diligent, 
With  humble  service  to  her  will  prepard  : 
From  her  fayre  eyes  he  took  commandement, 
And  ever  by  her  lookes  conceived  her  intent. 

10  Long  she  thus  travelled  through  deserts  wyde. 
By  which  she  thought  her  wandring  Knight  could 

pas, 
Yet  never  shew  of  living  wight  es25yde  ; 
Till  that  at  length  she  found  the  troden  gras, 
In  which  the  tract  of  peoples  footing  was. 
Under  the  steepe  foot  of  a  mountaine  hore  : 
The  same  she  followes,  till  at  last  she  has 
A  damzell  spyde  slow  footing  her  before, 
That  on  her  shoulders  sad  *  a  pot  of  water  bore. 

11  To  whom  approching,  she  to  her  gan  call. 

To  weet  "^  if  dwelling  place  were  nigh  at  hand  ; 

1  Had,  heavy,  burdened.  *  Weet,  know. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    III.  75 

But  the  rude  wench  her  answerd  nought  at  all ; 
She  could  not  heare,  nor  speake,  nor  understand : 
Till,  seeing  by  her  side  the  Ijon  stand, 
With  suddeine  feare  her  pitcher  downe  she  threw, 
And  fled  away :  foi-  never  in  that  land 
Face  of  f'ayre  lady  she  before  did  vew, 
Aiid  that  dredd  lyons  looke  her  cast  in  deadly  hew, 

.3  Full  fast  she  fled,  ne  ever  lookt  behynd, 
As  if  her  life  upon  the  wager  lay  ; 
And  home  she  came,  whereas  ^  her  mother  blynd 
Sate  in  eternall  night ;  nought  could  she  say ; 
But,  suddeine  catching  hold,  did  her  dismay 
With  quaking  hands,  and  other  signes  of  feare : 
Who,  full  of  ghastly  fright  and  cold  affi-ay, 
Gan  shut  the  dore.     By  this  arrived  there 

Dame  Una,  weary  dame,  and  entrance  did  requere : 

13  Which  when  none  yielded,  her  unruly  page 
With  his  rude  clawes  the  wicket  open  rent, 
And  let  her  in  ;  where,  of  his  cruell  rage 
Nigh  dead  with  feare,  and  faint  astonishment, 
Shee  found  them  both  in  darkesome  corner  pent ; 
Where  that  old  woman  day  and  night  did  pray 
Upon  her  beads,  devoutly  penitent : 
Nine  hundred  Pater  nosters  every  day, 

And  thrise  nine  hundred  Aves,  she  was  wont  to  say. 

1   Whereas,  where  that,  where. 


XIII.  6.  —  Old  woman.]  The  old  woman,  Corceca  (cui  cacum 
est  car,  Upton),  is  Blind  Devotion,  and  her  daiigliter,  Abessa, 
Monastic  Superstition.     C. 


76  THE    FAERIE    QUEKNE. 

14  And,  to  augment  her  painefuU  penaunce  more, 
Thrise  every  weeke  in  ashes  shee  did  sitt, 

And  next  her  wrinkled  skin  rough  sackecloth  wore, 
And  thrise  three  times  did  fast  from  any  bitt : 
But  now  for  feare  her  beads  she  did  forgett. 
"Whose  needlesse  dread  for  to  remove  away, 
Faire  Una  framed  words  and  count'naunce  fitt : 
Which  hardly  doen,^  at  length  she  gan  them  pray, 
That  in  their  cotage  small  that  night  she  rest  her  may. 

15  The  day  is  spent ;  and  commeth  drowsie  night, 
When  every  creature  shrowded  is  in  sleepe  : 
Sad  Una  downe  her  laies  in  weary  plight, 
And  at  her  feete  the  lyon  watch  doth  keepe  : 
In  stead  of  rest,  she  does  lament,  and  weepe. 
For  the  late  losse  of  her  deare-loved  Knisht, 
And  sighes,  and  grones,  and  evermore  does  steepe 
Her  tender  brest  in  bitter  teares  all  night ; 

All  night  she  thinks  too  long,  and  often  lookes  for  light, 

16  Now  when  Aldeboran  was  mounted  hye 
Above  the  shinie  Cassiopeias  chaire, 
And  all  in  deadly  sleepe  did  drowned  lye, 
One  knocked  at  the  dore,  and  in  would  fare ; 
lie  knocked  fast,  and  often  curst,  and  sware. 
That  ready  entraunce  was  not  at  his  call ; 
For  on  his  backe  a  heavy  load  he  bare 

Of  nightly  stelths,  and  pillage  severall,^ 
Which  he  had  got  abroad  bj^  purchas"  criminall. 


1  fidrdli/  doen,  clone  with  difficulty.  ^  Purchas,  acquisition 

2  SevcrulL  various. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    111.  77 

17  Pie  was,  to  weete,  a  stout  and  sturdy  thiefe, 
Wont  to  robbe  churches  of  their  ornaments, 
And  poore  mens  boxes  of  their  due  reliefe, 
Which  given  was  to  them  for  good  intents : 
The  holy  saints  of  their  rich  vestiraents 
He  did  disrobe,  when  all  men  carelesse  slept ; 
And  spoild  the  pi-iests  of  their  habiliments  ; 
Whiles  none  the  holy  things  in  safety  kept, 

Then  he  by  conning  sleights  in  at  the  window  crept. 

18  And  all,  that  he  by  right  or  wrong  could  find. 
Unto  this  house  he  brought,  and  did  bestow 
Upon  the  daughter  of  this  woman  blind, 
Abessa,  daughter  of  Corceca  slow, 

With  whom  he  whoredome  usd  that  few  did  know, 
And  fed  her  fatt  with  feast  of  offerings. 
And  plenty,  which  in  all  the  land  did  grow ; 
Ne  spared  he  to  give  her  gold  and  rings  : 
And  now  he  to  her  brought  part  of  his  stolen  things. 

19  Thus,  long   the   dore  with   rage  and   threats    he 

bett ; 
Yet  of  those  fearfull  women  none  durst  rize, 
(The  lyon  frayed  ^  them,)  him  in  to  lett ; 
He  would  no  lenger  stay  him  to  advize, 
But  open  breakes  the  dore  in  furious  wize, 

1  Frayed,  terrified. 


XIX.  5.  —  But  open  breakes  the  dore  in  fwious  irize.]  The 
allegory  here  seems  clearly  to  signify  the  suppression  of  the  ab- 
peys  and  monasteries  under  Henry  the  Kighth.     C. 

VOL.    I.  11 


78  TIllC    FAKRlli    QUEKXf-. 

And  entring  is ;  when  that  disdain  full  beast. 
Encounti'ing  fierce,  hira  suddein  doth  surprize ; 
And,  seizing^  cruell  clawes  on  trembling  bi-est, 
Under  his  lordly  toot  him  proudly  hath  supprest. 

'JO  Him  booteth  not  resist,  nor  succour  call, 
His  bleeding  hart  is  in  the  vengers  hand ; 
Who  streight  him  rent  in  thousand  peeces  small, 
And  quite  dismembred  hath  :  the  thirsty  land 
Dronke  up  his  life  ;  his  coi'se  left  on  the  strand. 
His  fearefuU  freends  weare  out  the  wofuU  night, 
Ne  dare  to  weepe,  nor  seeme  to  understand 
The  heavie  hap,  which  on  them  is  alight; 

AfFraid,  least  to  themselves  the  like  mishappen  might. 

o.\  Now  when  broad  day  the  world  discovered  has, 
Up  Una  rose,  up  rose  th(;  lyon  eke  ; 
And  on  their  former  iourney  forward  pas. 
In  waies  unknowne,  her  vvandring  Kniglit  to  seeke, 
With  paines  far  passing  that  long-wandring  Greeko, 
That  for  his  love  refused  deitye : 
Such  were  the  labours  of  this  Lady  meeke, 
Still  seeking  him,  that  from  her  still  did  flye ; 

Then  furthest  from  her  hope,  when  most  she  weened 
nye. 

2!i  Soone  as  she  parted  thence,  the  fearfuU  twayne, 
That  blind  old  woman,  and  her  daughter  dear, 

1  Seizing,  fixing. 

XXI.  5.  —  Lo7ig-ioandrin()  Greeke.\     Ulysses,  who  refused  the 
ImmortaUty  on'ereil  liiiu  by  Ciilypso,  "for  liis  love,"  Penelope. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    llf.  79 

Came  forth;  and,  finding  Kirkrapine  there  sla}7ie, 
For  anguisli  great  they  gan  to  rend  their  heare, 
And  beat  their  brests,  and  naked  flesh  to  teare : 
And  when  they  both  had  wept  and  wayld  their  fill, 
Then  forth  they  ran,  like  two  amazed  deare, 
Halfe  mad  through  malice  and  revenainf  will. 
To  follow  her,  that  was  the  causer  of  their  ill : 

3s  Whome  overtaking,  they  gan  loudly  bray, 
With  hollow  houling,  and  lamenting  cry  ; 
Shamefully  at  her  rayling  all  the  way, 
And  her  accusing  of  dishonesty, 
Tliat  was  the  fiowre  of  faith  and  chastity  : 
And  still,  amidst  her  rayling  she*  did  pray 
That  plagues,  and  mischiefes,  and  long  misery, 
Might  fall  on  her,  and  follow  all  the  way ; 

And  that  in  endlesse  error  she  might  ever  stray. 

24  But,  when  she  saw  her  prayers  nought  prevaile, 
Shee  backe  retourned  with  some  labour  lost ; 
And  in  the  way,  as  shee  did  weepe  and  waile, 
A  knight  her  mett  in  mighty  armes  embost,^ 
Yet  knight  was  not  for  all  his  bragging  host ; 
But  subtill  Archimag,  that  Una  sought 
By  traynes  ^  into  new  troubles  to  have  toste : 
Of  that  old  woman  tidings  he  besought, 

If  that  of  such  a  lady  shee  could  tellen  ought. 

»d  Therewith  she  gan  her  passion  to  renew. 

And  cry,  and  curse,  and  raile,  and  rend  her  heare, 

1 1,  e.  the  o'd  woman.        2  E,nbosl,  inclosed.       8  Traynes,  snares. 


80  THE    FAliEIE    QUEEN' E. 

Saying,  lliat  harlott  she  too  lately  knew, 
That  causd  her  shed  so  many  a  bitter  teare  ; 
And  so  forth  told  the  story  of  her  feare. 
Much  seemed  he  to  mone  her  haplesse  chaunce, 
And  after  for  that  lady  did  inquere  ; 
Which  being  taught,  he  forward  gan  advaunce 
His  fair  enchaunted  steed,  and  eke  his  charmed  launce. 

26  Ere  long  he  came  where  Una  traveild  slow, 
And  that  wilde  champion  wayting  her  besyde  ; 
Whome  seeing  such,  for  dread  hee  durst  not  show 
Himselfe  too  nigh  at  hand,  but  turned  wyde 
Unto  an  hil ;  from  whence  when  she  him  spyde, 
By  his  like-seeming  shield  her  Knight  by  name 
Shee  weend  it  was,  and  towards  him  gan  ride : 
Approching  nigh,  she  wist  it  was  the  same ; 

And  with  faire  fearefuU  humblesse  towards  him  shee 
came : 

■n  And  weeping  said,  "  Ah,  my  long-lacked  lord. 
Where  have  ye  bene  thus  long  out  of  my  sight  ? 
Much  feared  I  to  have  bene  quite  abhord, 
Or  ought  have  done,  that  ye  displeasen  might ; 
That  should  as  death  unto  my  deare  heart  light : 
For  since  mine  eie  your  ioyous  sight  did  mis. 
My  chearefuU  day  is  turnd  to  chearelesse  night, 
And  eke  my  night  of  death  the  shadow  is  : 

But  welcome  now,  my  light,  and  shining  lampe  of  blis ! ' 

28  He  thei-eto  meeting  said,  "  My  dearest  dame, 
Far  be  it  from  your  thought,  and  fro  my  wil. 
To  thinke  that  knighthood  I  so  much  should  shame, 


BOOK    I.       CAJJTO    III.  81 

As  you  to  leave  that  have  me  loved  stil, 
And  chose  in  Faery  court,  of  meere  goodwil, 
"Where  noblest  knights  were  to  be  found  on  earth. 
The  earth  shall  sooner  leave  her  kindly  ^  skil 
To  bring  forth  fruit,  and  make  eternall  derth, 
Then    I   leave   you,   my   liefe,^  yborn   of   hevenly 
berth. 

29  "  And  sooth  to  say,  why  I  lefte  you  so  long, 
Was  for  to  seeke  adventure  in  straunge  place ; 
Where,  Archimago  said,  a  felon  stronn- 
To  many  knights  did  daily  worke  disgrace ; 
But  knight  he  now  shall  never  more  deface : 
Good  cause  of  mine  excuse,  that  mote^  ye  please 
Well  to  accept,  and  evermore  embrace 
My  faithfull  service,  that  by  land  and  seas 

Have  vowd  you  to  defend :  now  then  youi-  plaint  ap- 
pease." 

BO  His  lovely*  words  her  seemd  due  reeompence 
Of  all  her  passed  paines :  one  loving  liowre 
For  many  yeares  of  sorrow  can  dispence  ; 
A  dram  of  sweete  is  worth  a  pound  of  sowre. 
Shee  has  forgott  how  many  a  woeful  stowre  ^ 
For  him  she  late  endurd  ;  she  speakes  no  more 
Of  past :  true  is,  that  true  love  hath  no  powre 
To  looken  backe ;  his  eies  be  fixt  before. 

Before  her  stands  her  Knight,  for  whom  she  toyld  so 
sore. 

1  Kindly,  natural.  <  Lovely,  loving. 

2  Lie.fe,  love.  5  Stcwre,  trouble,  distress 
8  Mvte,  may. 


82  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

31  Much  like,  as  when  the  beaten  marinere, 
That  long  hath  wandred  in  the  ocean  wide, 
Ofte  soust  in  swelling  Tethys  saltish  teare  ; 
And  long  time  having  tand  his  tawney  hide 
With  blustring  breath  of  heaven,  that  none  can  bide, 
And  scorching  flames  of  fierce  Orions  hound*; 
Soone  as  the  port  from  far  he  has  espide, 

His  chearfuU  whistle  merily  doth  sound, 
And  Nereus  crownes  with  cups^  ;  his  mates  him  pledg 
around 

32  Such  ioy  made  Una,  when  her  Knight  she  found ; 
And  eke  th'  Enchaunter  ioyous  seemde  no  lesse 
Then  the  glad  marchant,  that  does  vew  from  ground 
His  ship  far  come  from  watrie  wildernesse ; 

He  hurles  out  vowes,  and  Neptune  oft  doth  blesse. 
So  forth  they  past ;  and  all  the  way  they  spent 
Discoursing  of  her  dreadful  late  distresse, 
In  which  he  askt  her,  what  the  lyon  ment ; 
Who  told  her  all  that  fell,^  in  iourney  as  she  went. 

33  They  had  not  ridden  far,  when  they  might  see 
One  pricking  towards  them  with  hastie  heat, 
Full  strongly  armd,  and  on  a  courser  free 

That  through  his  fiersnesse  fomed  all  with  sweat. 
And  the  sharpe  yron  did  for  anger  eat. 
When  his  hot  ryder  spurd  his  chauffed'*  side  ; 
His  looke  was  sterne,  and  seemed  still  to  threat 

1  Sirius,  or  the  dog-star. 

2  I.  e.  makes  a  libation  to  Nereus  with  bumpers,  cups  so  fuU 
that  the  wine  crowas  the  brim. 

8  I.  6.  all  that  had  befallen  her.  *  ChauJJ'ed,  chafed. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    III.  83 

Cruell  revenge,  which  he  in  hart  did  hyde  : 
And  on  his  shield  Sans  loy^  in  bloody  lines  was  dyde. 

34  When  nigh  he  drew  unto  this  gentle  payre. 

And  saw  the  red  crosse,  whicli  the  Knight  did  beare, 
He  burnt  in  fire  ;  and  gan  eftsoones  prepare 
Himselfe  to  batteill  with  his  couched  speare. 
Loth  was  that  other,  and  did  faint  through  feare, 
To  taste  th'  untryed  dint  of  deadly  Steele  : 
But  yet  his  Lady  did  so  well  him  cheare, 
That  hope  of  new  good  hap  he  gan  to  feele  ; 

So  bent  his  speare,  and  spurd  his  horse  with  yron  heele. 

85  But  that  proud  Paynim  forward  came  so  ferce 
And  full  of  wrath,  that,  with  his  sharp-head  speare, 
Through  vainly  crossed  shield  he  quite  did  perce ; 
And,  had  his  staggering  steed  not  shronI<e  for  feare, 
Through  shield  and  body  eke  he  should  him  beare ; 
Yet,  so  great  was  the  puissance  of  his  push. 
That  from  his  sadle  quite  he  did  him  beare : 
He  tombling  rudely  downe  to  ground  did  rush. 

And  from  his  gored  wound  a  well  of  bloud  did  gush 

36  Dismounting  lightly  from  his  loftie  steed. 
He  to  him  lept,  in  minde  to  reave  ^  his  life, 
And  proudly  said  :  "  Lo,  there  the  worthie  meed 

1 1,  e.  Lawless.  ^  Reave,  take. 


XXXV.  3.  —  Vainly  crossed  shield.]  The  cross  on  the  shield  of 
the  disguised  Archimago  proved  no  protection,  unlike  that  on  the 
shield  of  the  Red-cross  Knight,  in  his  encounter  with  Sans-foy. 
Canto  II.,  18.    H. 


84  THK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Of  him  that  slew  Sansfoy  with  bloody  knife  : 
Henceforth  his  ghost,  freed  from  repining  strife, 
In  peace  may  passen  over  Lethe  lake ; 
When  mourning  altars,  purgd  with  enimies  life, 
The  black  infernall  Furies  doen  aslake  ^ ; 
Life  from   Sansfoy   thou  tookst,  Sansloy  shall  from 
thee  take." 

37  Therewith  in  haste  his  helmet  gan  unlace, 
Till  Una  cride,  "  O  hold  that  heavie  hand, 
Dear  Sir,  what  ever  that  thou  be  in  place  ^: 
Enough  is,  that  thy  foe  doth  vanquisht  stand 
Now  at  thy  mercy  ;  mercy  not  witlistand  ; 
For  he  is  one  the  truest  knight  alive, 
Though  conquered  now  he  lye  on  lowly  land ; 
And  whilest  him  fortune  favourd,  fayre  did  thrive 

In  bloudy  field  ;  therefore  of  life  him  not  deprive." 

3S  Her  piteous  wordes  might  not  abate  his  rage ; 
But,  rudely  rending  up  his  helmet,  would 
Have  slayne  him  streight:  but  when  he  sees  his  age, 
And  hoarie  head  of  Ai'chimago  old, 
His  hasty  hand  he  doth  amased  hold. 
And,  halfe  ashamed,  wondred  at  the  sight : 
For  that  old  man  well  knew  he,  though  untold, 
In  charmes  and  magick  to  have  wondrous  might ; 

Ne  ever  wont  in  held,  ne  in  round  lists,  to  fight : 

j9  And  said,  "  Why,  Arcliimago,  lucklesse  syre, 
What  doe  I  see  ?  what  hard  mishap  is  this, 
That  hath  thee  hether  brought  to  taste  mine  yre  ? 

I  Doen  aslake,  do  appease.  ^  fn  place,  present. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    III.  8i> 

Or  thine  tlie  fault,  or  mine  the  error  is, 
Instead  of  foe  to  wound  my  friend  amis  ?  " 
He  answered  nought,  but  in  a  traunce  still  lay, 
And  on  those  guileful!  dazed  eyes  of  his 
The  cloude  of  death  did  sit ;  which  doen  ^  away, . 
He  left  him  lying  so,  ne  would  no  lenger  stay : 

43  But  to  the  Vii-gin  comes  ;  who  all  this  while 
Amased  stands,  herselfe  so  mockt  to  see 
By  him,  who  has  the  guerdon  of  his  guile. 
For  so  misfeigning  her  true  Knight  to  bee  : 
Yet  is  she  now  in  more  perplexitie. 
Left  in  the  hand  of  that  same  Paynim  bold,. 
From  wdiom  her  booteth  not  at  all  to  flie  : 
Who,  by  her  cleanly  garment  catching  hoLi^ . 

Her  from  her  palfrey  pluckt,  her  visage  to  behold.. 

41  But  her  tiers  servant,  full  of  kingly  aw 

And  high  disdainf ,  whenas  his  soveraine  Dame- 
So  rudely  handled  by  her  foe  he  saw, 
With  gaping  iawes  full  greedy  at  him  came, 
And,  ramping  on  bis  shield,  did  weene-  the  same 
Have  reft  away  with  his  sharp  rending  clawes : 
But  he  was  stout,  and  lust  did  now  inflame 
His  corage  more,  that  from  his  griping  pawes 

He  hath  his  shield  redeemd  ;  and  forth  his  swerd  he 
drawes. 

4J  O  then,  too  weake  and  feeble  was  the  forse 
Of  salvage  beast,  his  puissance  to  withstand  1 

1  Dom,  done:  when  he  had  recovered  from  his  swoon. 

2  Weene,  think  to. 


86  THE    FAERIE    QUKENE. 

For  he  was  strong,  and  of  so  mightie  corse,^ 
As  ever  wielded  speare  in  wai-like  hand  ; 
And  feates  of  armes  did  wisely  understand. 
Eftsoones  he  perced  through  his  chaufed  •^  chest 
With  thrilling  point  of  deadly  yron  brand, 
And  launcht  his  lordly  hart :  with  death  opprest 
He  ror'd  aloud,  whiles  life  forsooke  his  stubborne  brest. 

j3  Who  now  is  left  to  keepe  the  forlorne  Maid 
From  raging  spoile  of  lawlesse  victors  will  ? 
Her  faithfull  gard  remov'd  ;  her  hope  dismaid  ; 
Her  selfe  a  yielded  pray  to  save  or  spill  ^ ! 
He  now,  lord  of  the  field,  his  pride  to  fill, 
With  foule  reproches  and  disdaineful  spight 
Her  vildly  entertaines  ;  and,  will  or  nil' 
Beares  her  away  upon  his  courser  light 

Her  prayers  nought  prevaile  ;    his  rage  is  more  of 
mio;ht. 


o 


44  And  all  the  way,  with  great  lamenting  paine, 
And  piteous  plaintes,  she  filleth  Ids  dull  eares, 
That  ston}  hart  could  riven  have  in  twain  e ; 
And  all  the  way  she  wetts  with  flowing  teares ; 
But  he,  enrag'd  with  rancor,  nothing  heares. 
Her  servile  beast  yet  would  not  leave  her  so, 
But  foUowes  her  far  of,  ne  ought  he  feares 
To  be  partaker  of  her  wandring  woe. 

More  mild  in  beastly  kind,  then  that  her  beastly  foe. 

1  Corse,  body.  *  Spill,  destroy. 

*  Chaufed,  heated. 

XLIII.  1.  —  Who  now  ia  left,  &c.]     Christian  Truth  was  in  a 


BOOK    I.    CANTO    IV.  87 


CANTO    IV. 


To  sinfull  Hous  of  Pryde  Duessa 

Guydes  the  faithfull  Knight; 
WHiere,  brothers  death  to  wreak,  Sansioy 
Doth  chalens  him  to  fight. 


1  Young  Knight  whatever,  that  dost  armes  professe, 
And  through  long  labours  huntest  after  fame, 
Beware  of  fraud,  beware  of  ficklenesse, 

In  choice,  and  chaunge,  of  thy  deare-loved  dame  ; 
Least  thou  of  her  believe  too  lightly  blame, 
And  rash  misweening  doe  thy  hart  remove : 
For  unto  knight  there  is  no  greater  shame, 
Then  *  lisfhtnesse  and  inconstancie  in  love : 
That  doth  this  Redcrosse  Knights  ensample  plainly 
prove. 

2  Who,  after  he  had  faire  Una  lorne,^ 
Throusrh  light  misdeeming  of  her  loialtie  ; 
And  false  Duessa  in  her  sted  had  borne, 

1  Then,  than,  2  Lome,  lost. 


very  unsettled  state  during  the  reigns  of  King  Henry  the  Eighth, 
and  of  Edward  the  Sixth.  But  after  their  death  she  was  entirely 
•a  the  will  and  power  of  the  Lawless  Victor.    Upton. 


88 


THIi    FAERIE    QUEENE. 


Called  Fidess',  and  so  supjiosd  to  be  ; 
Long  with  her  traveild  ;  till  at  last  they  see 
A  goodly  building,  bravely  garnished  ; 
The  house  of  mightie  prince  it  seemd  to  be  ; 
And  towards  it  a  broad  high  way  that  led, 
All  bare  through  peoples  feet,  which  thether  travelled. 

3  Great  troupes  of  people  traveild  thetherward 
Both  day  and  night,  of  each  degree  and  place ; 
But  few  returned,  having  scaped  hard. 

With  balefuU  beggery,  or  foule  disgrace  ; 
Which  ever  after  in  most  wretched  case. 
Like  loathsome  lazars,  by  the  hedges  lay. 
Thether  Duessa  badd  him  bend  his  pace  ; 
For  she  is  wearie  of  the  toilsom  way  ; 
And  also  nigh  consumed  is  the  lingring  day. 

4  A  stately  pallace  built  of  squared  brick e. 
Which  cunnin";lv  was  without  morter  laid. 
Whose  wals  were  high,  but  nothing  strong  nor 

thick. 
And  golden  foile  all  over  them  displaid. 
That  purest  skye  with  brightnesse  they  dismaid  ; 
High  lifted  up  were  many  loftie  towres, 
And  goodly  galleries  far  over  laid. 
Full  of  faire  windowes  and  delightful  bowres ; 
And  on  the  top  a  diall  told  the  timely  howres. 

5  It  was  a  goodly  heape  for  to  behould. 

And  spake  the  praises  of  the  workmans  witt : 
But  full  great  pittie,  that  so  faire  a  mould 
Did  on  so  weake  foundation  ever  sitt  : 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IV.  89 

For  on  a  sandie  hill,  that  still  did  flitt 
And  fall  away,  it  mounted  was  full  hie  : 
That  every  breath  of  heaven  shaked  itt : 
And  all  the  hinder  partes,  that  few  could  spie, 
Were  ruinous  and  old,  but  painted  cunningly. 

6  Arrived  there,  they  passed  in  forth  right ; 
For  still  to  all  the  gates  stood  open  wide  : 
Yet  charge  of  them  was  to  a  porter  hight,^ 
Cald  Malvenu,  who  entrance  none  denide : 
Thence  to  the  hall,  which  was  on  every  side 
With  rich  array  and  costly  arras  dight  ^ : 
Infinite  sortes  of  people  did  abide 
There  waiting  long,  to  win  the  washed  sight 
Of  her,  that  was  the  Lady  of  that  pallace  bright. 

7  By  them  they  passe,  all  gazing  on  them  round, 
And  to  the  Presence^  mount ;  whose  glorious  vew 
Their  frayle  amazed  senses  did  confound. 
In  living  princes  court  none  ever  knew 
Such  endlesse  richesse,  and  so  sumpteous  shew  : 
Ne  Persia  selfe,  the  nourse  of  pompous  pride, 
Like  ever  saw :  And  there  a  noble  crew 
Of  lords  and  ladies  stood  on  every  side, 
Which,  with  their  presence  fayre,  the  place  much 
beautifide. 

8  High  above  all  a  cloth  of  state  was  spred, 
And  a  rich  throne,  as  bright  as  sunny  day  ; 


^  Eight,  intrusted.  3  Presence,  reception-room. 

■  2  Dight,  furnisiied. 


90  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

On  which  there  sate,  most  brave  embellished 
With  royall  robes  and  gorgeous  array, 
A  raayden  Queene  that  shone  as  Titans  ray, 
In  glistring  gold  and  perelesse  pretious  stone  ; 
Yet  her  bright  blazing  beautie  did  assay  ^ 
To  dim  the  brightnesse  of  her  glorious  throne. 
As  envying  her  selfe,  that  too  exceeding  shone : 

9  Exceeding  shone,  like  Phoebus  fayrest  childe, 
That  did  presume  his  fathers  fyrie  wayne, 
And  flaming  mouthes  of  steedes  unwonted  wilde, 
Through  highest  heaven  with  weaker  hand  to  rayne 
Proud  of  such  glory  and  advancement  vayne, 
While  flashing  beames  do  daze  his  feeble  eyen, 
He  leaves  the  welkin^  way  most  beaten  playne, 
And,  rapt  with  whirling  wheeles,  inflames  the  skyen 
With  fire  not  made  to  burne,  but  fayrely  for  to  shyne. 

10  So  proud  she  shyned  in  her  princely  state, 
Looking  to  heaven  ;  for  earth  she  did  disdayne 
And  sitting  high ;  for  lowly  she  did  hate : 

Lo,  underneath  her  scornefuU  feete  was  layne 
A  dreadfull  dragon  with  an  hideous  trayne  ; 
And  in  her  hand  she  held  a  mirrhour  bright, 
Wherein  her  face  she  often  vewed  fayne,^ 
And  in  her  selfe-lov'd  semblance  tooke  delight ; 
For  she  was  wondrous  faire,  as  any  living  wight. 

1 1  Of  griesly  Pluto  she  the  daughter  was. 
And  sad  Proserpina,  the  queene  of  hell ; 

1  Assay,  attempt.  *  Fayne,  gladly. 

2  Welkin,  heavenly. 


BOOK    I.    CANTO    IV.  91 

Yet  did  she  thinke  her  pearelesse  worth  to  pas^ 
That  parentage,  with  pride  so  did  she  swell ; 
And  thinuli-ing  love,  that  high  in  heaven  doth  dwell 
And  wield  the  world,  she  claymed  for  her  syre ; 
Or  if  that  any  else  did  love  excell  ; 
For  to  the  highest  she  did  still  aspyre ; 
Or,  if  ought  higher  were  then  that,  did  it  desyre. 

12  And  proud  Lucifera  men  did  her  call. 

That  made  her  selfe  a  queene,  and  crownd  to  be ; 
Yet  rightful!  kingdome  she  had  none  at  all, 
Ne  heritage  of  native  soveraintie  ; 
But  did  usurpe  with  wrong  and  tyrannie 
Upon  the  scepter,  which  she  now  did  hold : 
Ne  ruld  her  I'ealme  with  lawes,  but  pollicie. 
And  strong  advizement  of  six  wisards  old. 
That  with  their  counselsbad  her  kingdome  did  uphold. 

13  Soone  as  the  Elfin  Knight  in  presence  came, 
And  false  Duessa,  seeming  lady  fayre, 

A  gentle  husher,^  Vanitie  by  name. 
Made  rowme,  and  passage  for  them  did  prepaire  : 
So  goodly  brought  them  to  the  lowest  stayre 
Of  her  high  throne ;  where  they,  on  humble  knee 
flaking  obeysaunce,  did  the  cause  declare. 
Why  they  were  come,  her  roiall  state  to  see, 
To  prove  the  wide  report  of  her  great  maiestee. 

14  With  loftie  eyes,  halfe  loth  to  looke  so  lowe. 
She  thancked  them  in  her  disdainefall  wise ; 

1  Pas,  surpass.  2  Huslier,  usher. 


92  THR    FAERIE    QUKENE. 

Ne  otlier  grace  vouchsafed  them  to  showe 
Of  princesse  worthy  ;  scarse  them  bad  arise. 
Her  lordes  and  ladies  all  this  while  devise 
Themselves  to  setten  forth  to  straungers  sight : 
Some  frounce*  their  curled  heare  in  courtly  guise  ; 
Some  prancke  ^  theii-  ruffes ;  and  others  trimly  diglit  * 
Their  gay  attyre  :  each  others  greater  pride  does  spight. 

15  Goodly  they  all  that  Knight  doe  entertayne, 
Right  glad  with  him  to  have  increast  their  crew  ; 
But  to  Duess'  each  one  himselfe  did  payne 

All  kindnesse  and  faire  courtesie  to  shew ; 
For  in  that  court  whylome*  her  well  they  knew  : 
Yet  the  stout  Faery  mongst  the  middest  crowd 
Thought  all  their  glorie  vaine  in  knightly  vew, 
And  that  great  Princesse  too  exceeding  prowd, 
That  to  strange  knight  no  better  countenance  allowd. 

16  Suddein  upriseth  from  her  stately  place 

The  roiall  Dame,  and  for  her  coche  doth  call: 
All  hurtlen^  forth  ;  and  she,  with  princely  pace, 
As  faire  Aurora,  in  her  purple  pall, 
Out  of  the  east  the  dawning  day  doth  call. 
So  forth  she  comes  ;  her  brightnesbrode  doth  blaze. 
The  heapes  of  people,  thronghig  in  the  liall. 
Doe  ride  each  other,  upon  her  to  gaze : 
Her  glorious  glitterand  light  doth  all  mens  eies  amaze. 

1  Frounce,  frizzle.  ^  Whyhnne,  formerly. 

^Prancke,  make  a  display  of.  6  Hurtkn,  rush. 

8  Bight,  adjust. 


XrV.  9. —  Each  others  f/renter //rule  does  spi(/hl.]     Each  one  is 
annoyed  by  the  greater  attractions  ofain^ther.    H. 


BOOK    I.       CAXTO    IV.  93 

17  So  forth  she  comes,  and  to  her  coche  does  clyrne 
Adorned  all  with  gold  and  girlonds  gay, 

That  seemd  as  fresh  as  Flora  in  her  prime ; 
And  strove  to  match,  in  roiall  rich  array, 
Great  lunoes  golden  chayre;^  the  which,  they  say, 
The  gods  stand  gazing  on,  when  she  does  ride 
To  loves  high  hous  through  heavens  bras-paved 

way, 
Drawne  of  fayre  pecocks,  that  excel!  in  pride, 
And  full  of  Argus  eyes  their  tayles  dispredden  wide. 

18  But  this  was  drawne  of  six  unequall  beasts. 
On  which  her  six  sage  counsellours  did  ryde, 
Taught  to  obay  their  bestiall  beheasts, 
With  like  conditions  to  their  kindes  applyde  : 
Of  which  the  first,  that  all  the  rest  did  guyde. 
Was  sluggish  Idlenesse,  the  nourse  of  sin  ; 
Upon  a  slouthfull  asse  he  chose  to  ryde, 
Arayd  in  habit  blacke,  and  arais^  thin  ;" 

Like  to  an  holy  monck,  the  service  to  begin. 

19  And  in  his  hand  his  portesse*  still  he  bare. 
That  much  was  worne,  but  therein  little  redd ; 
For  of  devotion  he  had  little  care. 

Still  drownd  in  sleepe  and  most  of  his  daies  dedd  : 
Scarse  c^iuld  he  once  uphold  his  heavie  hedd, 

1  Chaifre,  chariot.  8  Poi-ti^sse,  breviary. 

2  Amis,  robe. 


XVIII.  2.  —  Six  sage  couiiaellours.]  Pride  i.s  one  of  the  seven 
deadly  sins,  and  her  six  counselloi-s  are  tlie  other  six.  —  4.  The 
beasts  were  under  the  domination  of  some  passion  analogous  to 
tlie  vice  of  the  rider.    C. 

VOL.  t.  12 


94 


THE    KAKIME    QUKENE. 


To  looken  whether  it  were  night  or  day. 
May  seeme  the  wayne  *  was  very  evill  leckl, 
When  such  an  one  had  guiding  of"  the  way, 
That  knew  not  whether  right  he  went  or  else  astray. 

30  From  worldly  cares  himselfe  he  did  esloyne,'* 
And  greatly  shunned  manly  exercise ; 
From  everie  worke  he  ehalenged  essoyne,' 
For  contemplation  sake  :  yet  otherwise 
His  life  he  led  in  lawlesse  riotise ; 
By  which  he  grew  to  grievous  malady : 
For  in  his  lustlesse'*  limbs,  through  evill  guise,^ 
A  shaking  fever  raignd  continually : 

Such  one  was  Idlenesse,  first  of  this  company. 

21  And  by  his  side  rode  loathsome  Gluttony, 
Deformed  creature,  on  a  filthie  svvyne ; 
His  belly  was  upblowne  with  luxury. 
And  eke  with  fatnesse  swollen  were  his  eyne; 
And  like  a  crane  his  necke  was  long  and  fyne, 
Witli  which  he  swallowd  up  excessive  feast, 
For  want  whereof  poore  people  oft  did  pyne : 
And  all  the  way,  most  like  a  brutish  beast. 

He  spued  up  his  gorge,®  that  all  did  him  deteast. 

2-2  In  greene  vine  leaves  he  was  right  fitly  clad ; 
For  other  clothes  he  could  not  weare  for  heate : 
And  on  his  head  an  yvie  girland  had. 
From  under  which  fast  trickled  downe  the  sweat 

1  Wayne,  chnj"iot.  *  Lusllesse,  listless. 

2  J'Jsloi/ne,  withdraw  ^  Uuist,  habit. 

8  Essoyne,  excuse.  ®  I.  e.  what  he  had  swallowed 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IV.  95 

Still  as  lie  rode,  he  somewhat  still  did  eat^ 
And  in  his  hand  did  beare  a  bouzin<r  can,* 
Of  which  he  supt  so  oft,  that  on  his  seat 
His  dronken  corse  he  scarse  upholden  can  : 
In  shape  and  life  more  like  a  monster  then  a  man. 

23  Unfit  he  was  for  any  worldly  thing. 
And  eke  unliable  once  to  stirre  or  go ; 
Not  meet  to  be  of  counsell  to  a  king, 
Whose  mind  in  meat  and  drinke  was  drowned  so, 
That  from  his  frend  he  seeldome  knew  his  fo : 
Full  of  diseases  was  his  carcas  blew. 
And  a  dry  ^  dropsie  through  his  flesh  did  flow, 
Which  by  misdiet  daily  gi'eater  grew  ; 

Such  one  was  Gluttony,  the  second  of  tliat  crew. 

■24  And  next  to  him  rode  lustfull  Lechery 
Upon  a  bearded  gote,  whose  rugged  heare. 
And  whally  ^  eies,  (the  signe  of  gelosy,) 
Was  like  the  person  selfe,  whom  he  did  beare : 
Who  rough,  and  blacke,  and  filthy,  did  appeare ; 
Unseemely  man  to  please  faire  ladies  eye : 
Yet  he  of  ladies  oft  was  loved  deare. 
When  fairer  faces  were  bid  stauden  by : 

0  who  does  know  the  bent  of  womens  fantasy ! 


1  Bousing  can,  a  drinking-can. 

2  Dry,  thirsty  (  ?  ). 

8  Whally,  discolored,  CTeen  (wall-eyed). 


XXIV.  1.  —  Lechery.  |  "  After  glotonye  tlianne  cometh  leccho- 
rie,  for  these  two  syiiiies  ben  so  neili  cosyns,  that  ofte  tyme  thay 
vol  not  departe."  —  Chaucek. 


90  TIIK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

25  In  a  greene  gowne  he  clothed  was  full  faire, 
Which  underneath  did  hide  his  filthinesse ; 
And  in  his  hand  a  burning  hart  he  bare. 
Full  of  vaine  follies  and  new-fanglenesse ; 

For  he  was  false,  and  fraught  with  ficklenesse ; 

And  learned  had  to  love  w^ith  secret  lookes  ; 

And   well    could    daunce ;    and  sing  with  rueful- 

nesse ; 
And  fortunes  tell ;  and  read  in  loving  bookes : 
And  thousand  other  waies,  to  bait  his  fleshly  hookes. 

26  Inconstant  man,  that  loved  all  he  saw, 
And  lusted  after  all  that  he  did  love  ; 
Ne  would  his  looser  life  be  tide  to  law, 

But    ioyd   weake   wemens    hearts    to   tempt,   and 

prove, 
If  from  their  loyall  loves  he  might  them  move : 
"Which  lewdnes  fild  him  with  reprochfuU  pain 
Of  that  foule  evill,  which  all  men  reprove, 
That  rotts  the  marrow,  and  consumes  the  braine : 
Such  one  was  Lechery,  the  third  of  all  this  traine. 

27  And  greedy  Avarice  by  him  did  ride, 
Upon  a  camell  loaden  all  with  gold : 
Two  iron  coffers  hong  on  either  side, 

With  precious  metall  full  as  they  might  hold ; 
And  in  his  lap  an  heap  of  coine  he  told ; 
For  of  his  wicked  pelf  his  god  he  made. 
And  unto  hell  him  selfe  for  money  sold : 
Accursed  usury  was  all  his  trade; 
And  right  and  wrong  ylike  in  equall  ballaunce  waide. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IV.  97 

28  His  lil'e  was  nigh  unto  deaths  dore  yplaste  ^ ; 
And  thred-bare  cote,  and  cobled  shoes,  hee  ware ; 
Ne  scarse  good  morsell  all  his  life  did  taste  ; 
But  both  from  backe  and  belly  still  did  spare, 
To  fill  his  bags,  and  richesse  to  compare  ^ : 

Yet  childe  ne  kinsman  Uving  had  he  none 
To  leave  them  to ;  but  thorough  daily  cai*e 
To  get,  and  nightly  feare  to  lose  his  owne, 
He  led  a  wretched  life,  unto  himselfe  unknowne. 

29  Most  wretched  wight,  whom  nothing  might  suffise ; 
"Whose  greedy  lust  did  lacke  in  greatest  store ; 
Whose  need  had  end,  but  no  end  covetise*; 
Whose  welth  was  want;  whose  plenty  made  him  pore ; 
Who  had  enough,  yett  wished  ever  more  ; 

A  vile  disease  :  and  eke  in  foote  and  hand 
A  grievous  gout  tormented  him  full  sore  ; 
That  well  he  could  not  touch,  nor  goe,  nor  stand : 
Such  one  was  Avarice,  the  forth  of  this  faire  band ! 

30  And  next  to  him  malicious  Envy  rode 
Upon  a  ravenous  wolfe,  and  still  did  chaw 
Betweene  his  cankred  teeth  a  venemous  tode. 
That  all  the  poison  ran  about  his  chaw^; 
But  inwardly  he  chawed  his  owne  maw 

At  neibors  welth,  that  made  him  ever  sad ; 
For  death  it  was,  when  any  good  he  saw ; 
And  wept  that  cause  of  weeping  none  he  had  ; 
But  when  he  heard  of  harme,  he  wexed  wondrous  glad 


1  Yjjlaste,  i.  e.  reduced.  «  Covelise,  covetousness . 

2  Co7nj)wre,  collect.  *  Chaw,  jaw. 


98  THE    FAKKIE    QUEENE. 

SI  All  in  a  kirtle  of  diseolourd  say* 
He  clothed  was,  ypaynted  full  of  eies  ; 
And  in  his  bosorae  secretly  there  lay 
An  hatefuU  snake,  the  which  his  taile  uptyes  ^ 
In  many  folds,  and  mortall  sting  implyes': 
Still  as  he  rode,  he  gnasht  his  teeth  to  see 
Those  heapes  of  gold  with  griple*  Covet} se; 
And  grudged  at  the  great  felicitee 

Of  proud  Lueifei'a,  and  his  owne  companee. 

32  He  hated  all  good  workes  and  vertuous  deeds, 
And  him  no  lesse,  that  any  like  did  use ; 

And  who  with  gratious  bread  the  hungry  feeds, 
His  almes  for  want  of  faith  he  doth  accuse ; 
So  every  good  to  bad  he  doth  abuse : 
And  eke  the  verse  of  famous  poets  witt 
He  does  backebite,  and  spightfuU  poison  spues 
From  leprous  mouth  on  all  that  ever  writt : 
Such  one  vile  Envy  was,  that  fifte  in  row  did  sitt. 

33  And  him  beside  rides  fierce  revenging  "Wrath, 
Upon  a  lion,  loth  for  to  be  led  ; 

And  in  his  hand  a  burning  brond  he  hath, 
The  which  he  brundisheth  about  his  hed : 
His  eies  did  hurle  forth  sparcles  fiery  red. 
And  stared  sterne  on  all  that  him  beheld ; 
As  ashes  pale  of  hew,  and  seeming  ded ; 
And  on  his  dagger  still  his  hand  he  held, 
Trembling  thi-ough  hasty  rage,  when  choler  in  him 
sweld. 

1  Diseolourd  say,  party-colored  silk.  '  Implyes,  folds  in. 

*  Uptyes,  ties  up.  *  Giiple,  grasping. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IV.  99 

34  His  ruffin  raiment  all  was  staind  with  blood 
Which  he  had  spilt,  and  all  to  rags  yrent ; 
Through  unadvized  rashnes  woxen  wood  ^ ; 
For  of  his  hands  he  had  no  governeraent, 
Ne  car'd  for  blood  in  his  avengeraent : 
But  when  the  furious  fitt  was  overpast, 
His  cruell  facts  ^  he  often  would  repent ; 
Yet,  wilfuU  man,  he  never  would  forecast. 

How  many  mischieves  should  ensue  his  heedlesse  hast 

35  Full  many  mischiefes  follow  cruell  Wrath  ; 
Abhorred  bloodshed,  and  tumultuous  strife, 
Unmanly  murder,  and  unthrifty  scath,^ 
Bitter  despight  with  rancours  rusty  knife : 
And  fretting  griefe,  the  enemy  of  life  : 

All  these,  and  many  evils  moe  haunt  Ire, 
The  swelling  splene,  and  frenzy  raging  rife, 
The  shaking  palsey,  and  Saint  Fraunces  fiie  . 
Such  one  was  Wrath,  the  last  of  this  ungodly  tire.* 

36  And,  after  all,  upon  the  wagon  beame 
Rode  Sathan  with  a  smarting  whip  in  hand, 
With  which  he  forward  lasht  the  laesy  teme, 
So  oft  as  Slowth  still  in  the  mire  did  stand. 
Huge  routs  of  people  did  about  them  band,^ 
Showting  for  ioy ;  and  still  before  their  way 

1  Wood,  mad.  *  Tire,  train. 

2  Facts,  deeds.  ^  ^and,  gather. 

3  Scatli,  damage,  loss. 


XXXV.  8. —  Saint  Fraunces  fire.]     St.  Anthony's  fire,  or  the 
erysipelas,  is  probably  liere  meant     H. 


100  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

A  foggy  mist  had  covered  all  the  land  ; 
And  underneath  tlieir  feet  all  scattered  lay 
Dead  sculls  and  bones  of  men,  whose  life  had  gone 
astray. 

37  So  forth  they  marchen  in  this  goodly  sort, 
To  take  the  solace^  of  the  open  aire, 

And  in  fresh  flowring  fields  themselves  to  sport : 
Emongst  the  rest  rode  that  false  Lady  faire, 
The  foule  Duessa,  next  unto  the  chaire 
Of  proud  Lucifer',  as  one  of  the  traitie  : 
But  that  good  Knight  would  not  so  nigh  repaire, 
Him  selfe  estraunging  from  their  ioyaunce  vaine, 
Wliose  fellowship  seemd  far  unfitt  for  warlike  swaine. 

38  So,  having  solaced  themselves  a  space 
With  pleasaunce  of  the  breathing  fields  yfed,* 
They  backe  retourned  to  the  princely  place  ; 
Whereas  an  errant  knight  in  armes  ycled. 
And  heathnish  shield,  wherein  with  letters  red 
Was  writt  Sajis  ioy,^  they  new  arrived  find : 
Enflam'd  with  fury  and  tiers  hardyhed. 

He  seemd  in  hart  to  harbour  thoughts  unkind, 
And  nourish  bloody  vengeaunce  in  his  bitter  mind. 

39  Who,  when  the  shamed  shield  of  slaine  Sansfoy 
He  spide  with  that  same  Fary  champions  page, 

1  Solace,  recreation.  ^  Sans  toy,  Joyless. 

2  Yfed,  fed,  or  refreshed. 

XXXIX.  1.  —  Shamed  sliield.']    That  is,  with  the  arras  reversed 
See  XLI.  9. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IV.  101 


Bewraying^  him  that  did  of  late  destroy 
His  eldest  brother,  bui'ning  all  with  rage, 
He  to  liira  lept,  and  that  same  envious  gage 
Of  victors  glory  from  him  snacht  away  : 
But  th'  Elfin   Knight,  which  ought  ^  that  warlike- 
wage,^ 
Disdaind  to  loose  the  meed  he  wonne  in  fray ; 
And,  him  rencountring  fierce,  reskewd  the  noble  pray- 

40  Therewith  they  gan  to  hurtlen*  greedily. 
Iledonl)ted  battaile  ready  to  darrayne,^ 
And  clash   their  shields,  and  shake  their  swerd's 

on  by  ; 
That  with  their  sturre  they  troubled  all  the  traine  r 
Till  that  great  Queene,  upon  eternall  paine 
Of  high  displeasure  that  ensewen  might, 
Commaunded  them  their  fury  to  refraine ; 
And,  if  that  either  to  that  shield  had  right. 

In  equall  lists  they  should  the  morrow  next  it  fight. 

11  "  Ah,  dearest  Dame,"  quoth  then  the  Paynim  bold, 
"  Pardon  the  error  of  enraged  wight, 
Whome  srreat  Q-riefe  made  forgett  the  raines  to  hold 
Of  reasons  rule,  to  see  this  recreaunt  knight, 
(No  knight,  but  treachour^  full  of  false  despight 
And  shameful  treason,)   who  through   guile  hath 

slayn 
The  prowest'  knight  that  ever  field  did  fight, 

1  Bewraying,  betraying.  *  Darrayne,  contest. 

2  Ought,  owned.  «  Treachour,  traitor. 
8  Wage,  pledge,  or  prize.  '  Prowest,  bravesu 

*  Hurllen,  skirmish. 


102  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Even  stout  Sansfoy,  (0  who  can  then  refrayn  ?) 
Whose  shield  he  beares  renverst,  the  more  to  heap 
disdayn. 

42  "  And,  to  augment  the  glorie  of  his  guile, 
His  dearest  love,  the  faire  Fidessa,  loe 
Is  there  possessed  of -^  the  traytour  vile  ; 
Who  reapes  the  harvest  sowen  by  his  foe, 
Sovven  in  bloodie  field,  and  bought  with  woe: 
That-  brothers  hand  shall  dearely  well  requight. 
So  be,  O  Queene,  you  equall  favour  showe." 
Him  litle  answerd  th'  angry  Elfin  Knight ; 

He  never  meant  with  words,  but  swords,  to  plead  hia 
right  : 


o 


43  But  threw  his  gauntlet,  as  a  sacred  pledg. 
His  cause  in  combat  the  next  day  to  try. 
So  been  they  parted  both,  with  harts  on  edg 
To  be  aveng'd  each  on  his  enimy. 
That  night  they  pas  in  ioy  and  iollity, 
Feasting  and  courting  both  in  bowre  and  hall ; 
For  steward  was  excessive  Gluttony, 
That  of  his  plenty  poured  forth  to  all : 

Which  doen,  the  chamberlain  Slowth  did  to  rest  them 
call. 

14  Now  whenas  darkesome  Night  had  all  displayd 
Her  coleblacke  curtein  over  brightest  skye  ; 
The  warlike  youthes,  on  dayntie  couches  layd, 
Did  chace  away  sweet  sleepe  from  sluggish  eye, 
To  muse  on  meanes  of  hoped  victory. 

1  Of,  by.  2  'rimt,  wliich. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IV.  103 

But  whenas  Morpheus  had  with  leaden  mace 
Arrested  all  that  courtly  company, 
Uprose  Duessa  from  her  resting  place, 
Ajid  to  the  Paynims  lodging  comes  with  silent  pace 

45  Whom  broad  awake  she  findes,  in  troublous  fitt, 
Fore-casting,  how  his  foe  he  might  annoy  ; 
And  him  amoves  ^  with  speaches  seeming  fitt, 

"  Ah  deare  Sansioy,  next  dearest  to  Sansfoy, 
Cause  of  my  new  griefe,  cause  of  my  new  icy  ; 
loyous,  to  see  his  ymage  in  mine  eye, 
And  greevd,  to  thinke  how  foe  did  him  destroy 
That  was  the  flowre  of  grace  and  chevalrye ; 
Lo,  his  Fidessa,  to  thy  secret  faith  I  flye." 

46  With  gentle  wordes  he  can  ^  her  fayrely  greet, 
And  bad  say  on  the  secrete  of  her  hart : 
Then,  sighing  soft,  "  I  learne  that  litle  sweet 

Oft  tempred  is,"  quoth  she,  "  with  muchell'  smart : 
For,  since  my  brest  was  launcht  with  lovely  dart* 
Of  deare  Sansfoy,  I  never  ioyed  howre, 
But  in  eternall  woes  my  weaker  hart 
Have  wasted,  loving  him  with  all  my  powre. 
And  for  his  sake  have  felt  full  many  an  heavie  stowre.** 

47  "  At  last,  when  perils  all  I  weaned  past, 
And  hop'd  to  reape  the  crop  of  all  my  care. 
Into  n  3w  woes  unweeting  ®  I  was  cast 


1  Ammes,  moves.  *  Lovely  dart,  dart  of  love. 

a  Can  greet,  greeted.  ^  Siowre,  trouble. 

8  Mudiell.  much.  ^  Umceeting,  unknowing. 


104  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

By  this  false  faytor/  who  unworthie  ware 
His  worthie  shield,  whom  he  with  guilefull  snare 
Entrapped  slew,  and  brought  to  shameluU  grave : 
Me  silly  maid  away  with  him  he  bare, 
And  ever  since  hath  kept  in  darksom  cave  ; 
For  that  I  would  not  yeeld  that  to  Sansfoy  I  gave. 

48  "  But  since  faire  sunne  hath  sperst  that  lowi'ing 

clowd, 
And  to  my  loathed  life  now  shewes  some  light, 
Under  your  beames  I  will  me  safely  slu-owd 
From  dreaded  storme  of  his  disdainfuU  spight : 
To  you  th'  inheritance  belonges  by  right 
Of  brothers  prayse,  to  you  eke  longes  ^  his  love. 
Let  not  his  love,  let  not  his  restlesse  spright, 
Be  unreveng'd,  that  calles  to  you  above 
From  wandring  Stygian  shores,  where  it  doth  end- 

lesse  move." 

49  Thereto  said  he,  "  Faire  Dame,  be  nought  dismaid 
For  sorrowes  past ;  their  griefe  is  with  them  gone. 
Ne  yet  of  present  perill  be  affraid  : 

For  needlesse  feare  did  never  vantage  none ; 
And  helplesse  hap  it  booteth  not  to  mone. 
Dead  is  Sansfoy,  his  vitall  paines  are  past. 
Though  greeved  ghost  for  vengeance  deep  do  grone : 
He  lives,  that  shall  him  pay  his  dewties  last. 
And  guiltie  Elfin  blood  shall  sacrifice  in  hast." 


O" 


50  "  0,  but  I  feare  the  fickle  freakes,"  quoth  shee, 
"  Of  fortune  false,  and  oddes  of  armes  in  field." 

1  Fayior,  deceiver.  ^  Longes,  belongs. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    IV.  105 

"  "Why ,  Dame,"  quoth  he,  "  what  oddes  can  ever  bee, 
Where  both  doe  fight  aUke,  to  win  or  yield  ?  " 
"  Yea,  but,"  quoth  slie,  "  he  beares  a  charmed  shield, 
And  eke  enchaunted  armes,  that  none  can  perce ; 
Ne  none  can  wound  the  man,  that  does  them  wield." 
"  Charrad  or  enchaunted,"  answerd  he  then  ferce, 
"  I  no  whitt  reck  ;  ne  you  the  like  need  to  reherce. 

51  "  But,  faire  Fidessa,  sithens  ^  fortunes  guile, 
Or  enimies  powre,  hath  now  captived  you, 
Returne  from  whence  ye  came,  and  rest  a  while. 
Till  morrow  next,  that  I  the  Elfe  subdew, 
And  with  Sansfoyes  dead  dowry  you  endew." 
"  Ay  me,  that  is  a  double  death,"  she  said, 
"  With  proud  foes  sight  my  sorrow  to  renew  : 
Where  ever  yet  1  be,  my  secrete  aide 

Shall  follow  you."     So,  passing  forth,  she  him  obaid. 

1  Sithana.  since 


106  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENB. 


CANTO    V. 


The  faithfull  Knight  in  equaU  field 
Subdewes  his  faithlesse  foe; 

Whom  false  Duessa  saves,  and  for 
His  cure  to  hell  does  goe. 


1  The  noble  hart  that  harbours  vertuous  thnight, 
And  is  with  childe  of  glorious  great  intent, 
Can  never  rest,  untill  it  forth  have  brought 
Th'  eternall  brood  of  glorie  excellent. 

Such  restlesse  passion  did  all  night  torment 
The  flaming  corage  of  that  Faery  Knight, 
Devizing,  how  that  doughtie  turnament 
With  greatest  honour  he  atchieven  might : 
Still  did  he  wake,  and  still  did  watch  for  dawning  light 

2  At  last,  the  golden  orientall  gate 

Of  greatest  heaven  gan  to  open  fayre ; 
And  Phoebus,  fresh  as  brydegrome  to  his  mate, 
Came  dauncing  forth,  shaking  his  deawie  hayre ; 
And    hurls    his   glistring  beams   through  gloomy 

ayre. 
Which  \^hen  the  wakeful  Elfe  perceivd,  streightway 
He  started  up,  and  did  him  selfe  prepayre 
In  sunbright  arraes,    and  battailous  array  ; 
For  with  tliat  Pagan  proud  he  combatt  will  that  day. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    V.  107 

3  And  forth  he  comes  into  the  commune  hall; 
Where  earely  waite  him  many  a  gazing  eye, 
To  weet  what  end  to  straunger  knights  may  fall. 
There  many  minstrales  maken  melody, 

To  drive  away  the  dull  melancholy  ; 
And  many  bardes,  that  to  the  trembling  chord 
Can  tune  their  timely  voices  cuiniingly  ; 
And  many  chroniclers,  that  can  record 
Old  loves,  and  warres  for  ladies  doen  by  many  a  lord. 

4  Soone  after  comes  the  cruell  Sarazin, 
In  woven  maile  all  armed  warily ; 

And  sternly  lookes  at  him,  who  not  a  pin 
Does  care  for  looke  of  living  creatures  eye. 
They  bring  them  wines  of  Greece  and  Araby, 
And  daintie  spices  fetcht  from  furthest  Ynd, 
To  kindle  heat  of  corage  privily  ; 
And  in  the  wine  a  solemne  oth  they  bynd 
T  observe  the  sacred  lawes  of  armes,  that  are  assynd. 

5  At  last  forth  comes  that  far  renowraed  Queene. 
With  royall  pomp  and  princely  maiestie 

She  is  ybrought  unto  a  paled  greene, 
And  placed  under  stately  canapee. 
The  warlike  feates  of  both  those  knights  to  see. 
On  th'  other  side  in  all  mens  open  vew 
Duessa  placed  is,  and  on  a  tree 
Sansfoy  his  shield  is  hangd  with  bloody  hew  : 
Both  those,  the  lawrell  girlonds  to  the  victor  dew. 

6  A  shrilling  trompett  sownded  from  on  bye, 
And  unto  battaill  bad  themselves  addresse : 


108  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENE. 

Their  shining  shieldes  about  their  wrestes  ^  they  tye, 
And  burning  blades  about  their  heades  doe  blesse,* 
The  instruments  of  wrath  and  heavinesse  : 
With  greedy  force  each' other  doth  assayle, 
And  strike  so  fiercely,  that  they  doe  impresse 
Deepe  dinted  furrowes  in  the  battred  mayle : 
The  yron  walles  to  ward  their  blowes  are  weak  and 
fraile. 

7  The  Sarazin  was  stout  and  wondrous  strong, 
And  heaped  blowes  like  yron  hammers  great ; 
For  after  blood  and  vengeance  he  did  long. 
Tlie  Knight  was  fiers,  and  full  of  youthly  heat, 
And  doubled  strokes,  like  dreaded  thunders  threat. 
For  all  for  praise  and  honour  he  did  fight. 
Both  stricken  stryke,  and  beaten  both  doe  beat ; 
That  from  their  shields  forth  flyeth  firie  light, 
And  helmets,  hewen  deepe,  shew  marks  of  eithers 
might. 


o 


8  So  th'  one  for  wrong,  the  other  strives  for  right : 
As  when  a  gryfon,*  seized  of  his  pray, 
A  dragon  fiers  encountreth  in  his  flight. 
Through  widest  ayre  making  his  ydle  way. 
That  wonld  his  rightfull  ravine^  rend  away: 
With  hideous  horror  both  tosrether  sraijirht, 
And  souce ''  so  sore,  that  they  the  heavens  affray : 
The  wise  southsayer,  seeing  so  sad  sight, 
Xh'  amazed  vul";ar  telles  of  warres  and  mortall  fight. 


"O" 


1  IVrestes,  winsts.  ■»  Rnrine,  prey. 

2  Blesse,  brandish.  5  Souce,  strike,  as  a  bird  strikes  its  prey. 
8  Gryfon.     Tlie  Kniijhl  is  compared  to  the  gryfon. 


BOOK    I.      CAXTO    V.  109 

n  So  th'  one  for  wrong,  the  other  strives  for  right; 
And  each  to  deadly  shame  would  drive  his  foe : 
The  cruell  Steele  so  greedily  doth  bight 
In  tender  flesh,  that  streames  of  blood  down  flow ; 
With  which  the  arraes,  that  earst  so  bright  did  show, 
Into  a  pure  vermilLion  now  are  dyde. 
Great  ruth  in  all  the  gazers  harts  did  grow, 
Seeing  the  gored  woundes  to  gape  so  wyde, 
That  victory  they  dare  not  wish  to  either  side. 

10  At  last  the  Paynim  chaunst  to  cast  his  eye, 
His  suddein  eye,  flaming  with  wrathfull  fyre, 
Upon  his  brothers  shield,  which  hong  thereby  : 
Therewith  redoubled  was  his  raging  yre, 

And  said  :  "  Ah  !  wretched  sonne  of  wofuU  syre, 
Doest  thou  sit  wayling  by  blacke  Stygian  lake, 
Wliylest  here  thy  shield  is  hangd  for  victors  hyre? 
And,  sluggish  german,^  doest  thy  forces  slake 
To  after-send  his  foe,  that  him  may  overtake  ? 

11  "  Goe,  caytive  Elfe,  him  quickly  overtake, 

And  soone  redeeme  from  his  long-wandring  woe  : 
Goe  guiltie  ghost,  to  him  my  message  make, 
That  I  his  shield  have  quit^  from  dying  foe." 
Therewith  upon  his  crest  he  stroke  him  so, 
That  twise  he  reeled,  readie  twise  to  fall : 
End  of  the  doubtful!  battaile  deemed  tho 
The  lookers  on  ;  and  lowd  to  him  gan  call 
The  false  Duessa,  "  Thine  the  shield,  and  I,  and  all !" 

1  German,  brother.    He  is  addressing  liimself,  —  "  Doest  [thou] 
Ihy  forces  slake '?  " 

2  Quit,  rescued. 

VOL.   I.  13 


110  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

12  Soone  as  the  Faerie  heard  his  Ladie  speake, 
Out  of  his  swowning  dreame  he  gan  awake  ; 
And  quiekning  faith,  tliat  earst  was  woxen  weake, 
The  creeping  deadly  cold  away  did  shake : 

Tho,^    mov'd  with  wrath,  and  shame,  and   ladies 

sake, 
Of  all  attonce  he  cast^  avengd  to  be, 
And  with  so'  exceeding  furie  at  him  strake, 
That  forced  him  to  stoupe  upon  his  knee : 
Had  he  not  stouped  so,  he  should  have  cloven  bee. 

13  And  to  him  said  :  "  Goe  now,  proud  misci'eant, 
Thyselfe  thy  message  do  to  german  deare; 
Alone  he,  wandring,  thee  too  long  doth  want: 
Goe  say,  his  foe  thy  shield  with  his  doth  beare." 
Therewith  his  heavie  hand  he  high  gan  reare. 
Him  to  have  slaine  ;  when  lo  !  a  darkesome  clowd 
Upon  him  fell ;  he  no  where  doth  appeare. 

But  vanisht  is.     The  Elfe  him  calls  alowd, 
But  answer  none  receives  ;    the  darknes   him   does 
shrowd. 

14  In  haste  Duessa  from  her  place  arose. 

And  to  him  running  sayd  :  "  0  prowest '  knight, 

Tliat  ever  ladie  to  her  love  did  chose, 

Let  now  abate  the  teiTOur  of  your  might, 

And  quench  the  flame  of  furious  despight 

And  bloodie  vengeance  :   lo  !  tli'  infernall  powres, 

Covering  your  foe  with  cloud  of  deadly  night, 

1  Tlio,  then.  8  Prowest,  bravest. 

2  Cast,  considered  how. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    V.  Ill 

Have  borne  him  hence  to  Plutoes  balefull  bowres : 
The  conquest  yours ;  I  yours ;  the  shield  and  glory 
yours  !  " 

15  Not  all  so  satisfide,  with  greedy  eye 

He  sought,  all  round  about,  his  thristy  blade 
To  bathe  in  blood  of  faithlesse  enimy ; 
Who  all  that  while  lay  hid  in  secret  shade : 
He  standes  amazed  how  he  thence  should  fade. 
At  last  the  trumpets  triumph  sound  on  hie ; 
And  running  hei-alds  humble  homage  made, 
Greeting  him  goodly  with  new  victorie ; 
And  to  him  brought  the  shield,  the  cause  of  enmitie. 

16  Wherewith  he  goeth  to  that  sovei-aine  Queene; 
And,  falling  her  befoi'e  on  lowly  knee, 

To  her  makes  present  of  his  service  seene  ^ : 
Wiiich  she  accepts  with  thankes  and  goodly  gree,' 
Greatly  advauncing  ^  his  gay  chevalree  : 
So  marcheth  home,  and  by  her  takes  the  Knight, 
Whom  all  the  people  followe  with  great  glee. 
Shouting,  and  clapping  all  their  hands  on  hight, 
That  all  the  ayre  it  fils,  and  flyes  to  heaven  bright. 

17  Home  is  he  brought,  and  layd  in  sumptuous  bed: 
Where  many  skilfuU  leaches  him  abide 

To  salve  his  hurts,  that  yet  still  freshly  bled. 
In  wine  and  oyle  they  wash  his  woundes  wide. 
And  softly  gan  embalme  on  everie  side. 


1  Seene.  tried.  ^Advauncing,  extolling. 

2  Gree,  fiivor. 


112  THE    FAKlilK    QUEKNE. 

And  all  the  while  most  heavenly  melody 
About  the  bed  sweet  musicke  did  divide,^ 
Him  to  beguile  of  griefe  and  agony: 
And  all  the  while  Duessa  wept  full  bitterly. 

18  As  when  a  wearie  traveller,  that  stray es 

By  muddy  shore  of  broad  seven-mouthed  Nile, 
Unweeting  of  the  perillous  wandring  wayes, 
Doth  meete  a  cruell  ci'aftie  crocodile, 
Which,  in  false  griefe  hyding  his  harmefull  guile, 
Doth  weepe  full  sore,  and  sheddeth  tender  teares ; 
The  foolish  man,  that  pitties  all  this  while 
His  mournefuU  plight,  is  swallowd  up  unwares ; 
Forgetfull  of  his  owne,  that  mindes  anothers  cares. 

19  So  wept  Duessa  untill  eventyde. 

That  shyning  lampes  in  loves  high  house  were  light: 
Then  forth  she  rose,  ne  lenger  would  abide ; 
But  comes  unto  the  place,  where  th'  Hethen  Knight, 
In  slombring  swownd  nigh  voyd  of  vitall  spright. 
Lay  cover'd  with  inchaunted  cloud  all  day  : 
Whom  when  she  found,  as  she  him  left  in  plight, 
To  wayle  his  wofuU  case  she  would  not  stay. 
But  to  the  easterne  coast  of  heaven  makes  speedy  way  ; 

20  Wliere  griesly  Night,  with  visage  deadly  sad, 
That  Phoebus  chearefull  face  durst  never  vevv, 
And  in  a  foule  blacke  pitchy  mantle  clad, 

She  findes  forth  eomming  from  her  darksome  mew  * ; 


1  To  (lifide  a  melody  is  to  make  variations  upon  it. 
^  Meio,  place  of  confinement. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    V.  113 

Where  she  all  day  did  hide  her  hated  hew. 
Before  the  dore  her  yron  charet  stood, 
Already  harnessed  for  iourney  new, 
And  cole-blacke  steedes  yborne  of  hellish  brood, 
That  on  their  rusty  bits  did  champ,  as  they  were 
wood.^ 

21  Who  when  she  saAv  Duessa,  sunny  bright, 
Adornd  with  gold  and  ievvels  shining  cleare, 
She  greatly  grew  amazed  at  the  sight. 
And  th'  unacquainted  light  began  to  feare ; 
(For  never  did  such  brightnes  there  appears ;) 
And  would  have  backe  retyred  to  her  cave, 
Untill  the  Witches  speach  she  gan  to  heare, 
Saying :  "  Yet,  O  thou  dreaded  Dame,  I  crave 

Abyde,  till  I  have  told  the  message  which  I  have." 

22  She  stayd  ;  and  foorth  Duessa  gan  proceede : 
"  O  Thou,  most  auncient  grandmother  of  all, 
More  old  then  love,  whom  thou  at  first  didst  bi'eede, 
Or  that  great  house  of  gods  ca;lestiall ; 

Which  wast  begot  in  Daemogoi'gons  hall,^ 
And  sawst  the  secrets  of  the  world  unmade ; 
Why  sufFredst  thou  thy  nephewes^  deare  to  fall 
With  Elfin  sword,  most  shamefully  betrade  ? 
1^0  where  the  stout  Sansioy  doth  sleepe  in  deadly 
shade  ! 

13  "  And,  him  before,  I  saw  with  bitter  eyes 

The  bold  Sansfoy  shrinck  underneath  his  speare ; 

1  Wood,  mad.  8  Nephewes,  descendants. 

2  I.  e.  in  chaos. 


IIJ:  THE    FAKRIE    QUEENE. 

And  now  the  pray  of  fowles  in  field  lie  lyes, 
Nor  wayld  of  friends,  nor  layd  on  groning  beare, 
That  vvhylome  was  to  me  too  dearely  deare. 
O  !  what  of  gods  then  boots  it  to  be  borne, 
If  old  Aveugles  ^  sonnes  so  evill  heare  ?  ^ 
Or  who  shall  not  great  Nightes  children  scorne, 
When  two  of  three  her  nephews  are  so  fowls  for- 
lorne  ? 

24  "  Up,  then  ;  up  dreary  Dame,  of  darknes  Queene 
Go,  gather  up  the  reliques  of  thy  race ; 

Or  else  goe  them  avenge  ;  and  let  be  scene 
That  dreaded  Night  in  brightest  day  hath  place, 
And  can  the  childi-en  of  fayre  Light  deface."  ® 
Her  feeling  speaches  some  compassion  raov'd 
In  hart,  and  chaunge  in  that  great  mothers  face  : 
Yet  pitty  in  her  hart  was  never  prov'd 
Till  then  ;  for  evermore  she  hated,  never  lov'd : 

25  And  said,  "  Deare  daughter,  rightly  may  I  rew, 
The  fall  of  famous  children  borne  of  mee, 
And  good  successes,  which  their  foes  ensew : 
But  who  can  turne  the  streame  of  destinee, 

Or  breake  the  chayne  of  strong  necessitee, 
Which  fast  is  tyde  to  loves  eternall  seat  ? 
The  sonnes  of  Day  he  favoureth,  I  see. 
And  by  my  mines  thinkes  to  make  them  great : 
To  make  one  great  by  others  losse  is  bad  excheat.* 

1  Aveugle  (blind)  is  another  name  for  Niglit. 

2  So  evill  heai-e,  are  so  ill  spoken  of. 

3  Be/ace,  defeat. 

•*  £xcheat,  gain  or  profit- 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    V.  Uo 

26  "  Yet  sliall  they  not  escape  so  freely  all ; 
For  some  sliall  pay  the  price  of  others  guilt : 
And  he,  the  man  that  made  Sansfoy  to  fall, 
Shall  with  his  owne  blood  price  ^  that  he  hath  spilt. 
But  what  art  thou,  that  telst  of  nephews  kilt  'f  " 

"  I,  that  do  seeme  not  I,  Duessa  ame," 
Quoth  she,  "  how  ever  now,  in  garments  gilt 
And  gorgeous  gold  ai-ayd,  I  to  thee  came  ; 
Duessa  I,  the  daughter  of  Deceipt  and  Shame." 

27  Then,  bowing  downe  her  aged  backe,  she  kist 
The  wicked  Witch,  saying :  "  In  that  fayre  face 
The  false  resemblaunce  of  Deceipt,  I  wist, 
Did  closely  lurke ;  yet  so  true-seeming  grace 

It  carried,  that  I  scarse  in  darksome  place 
Could  it  discerne  ;  though  I  the  mother  bee 
Of  Falshood,  and  roote  of  Duessaes  race. 
0  welcome,  child,  whom  I  have  longd  to  see, 
And  now  have  seene  unwares !     Lo,  now  I  goe  with 
thee." 

28  Then  to  her  yron  wagon  she  betakes, 

And  with  her  beares  the  fowle  welfavourd  Witch  : 
Through  mirkesome  aire  her  ready  way  she  makes. 
Her  twyfold  teme  (of  which  two  blacke  as  pitch, 
And  two  were  broAvne,  yet  each  to  each  unlich^) 
Did  softly  swim  away,  ne  ever  stamp 
Unlesse  she  chaunst  their  stubborne   mouths    to 

twitch  ; 
Then,  foming  tarre,  their  bridles  they  would  champ,. 
And  trampling  the  fine  element  would  fiercely  ramp. 

1  P7-ice,  pay  the  price  of.  ^  Uhlicli,  unlike. 


116  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

29  So  well  they  sped,  that  they  be  come  at  length 
Unto  the  place,  whereas  the  Paynim  lay 
Devoid  of  outward  sence  and  native  strength, 
Coverd  with  charmed  cloud  from  vew  of  day 
And  sight  of  men,  since  his  late  luckelesse  fray. 
His  cruell  wounds  with  cruddy  ^  bloud  congeald 
They  binden  up  so  wisely  as  they  may, 

And  handle  softly,  till  they  can  be  heald  : 
So  lay  him  in  her  charett,  close  in  night  conceald. 

30  And,  all  the  while  she  stood  upon  the  ground, 
The  wakeful!  dogs  did  never  cease  to  bay ; 
As  giving  warning  of  th'  unwonted  sound. 
With  which  her  yron  wheeles  did  them  affray, 
And  her  darke  griesly  looke  them  much  dismay. 
The  messenger  of  death,  the  ghastly  owle. 
With  drery  shriekes  did  also  her  bewray  ; 

And  hungry  wolves  continually  did  howle 
At  her  abhorred  face,  so  filthy  and  so  fowle. 

31  Thence  turning  backe  in  silence  softe  they  stole, 
And  brought  the  heavy  corse  with  easy  pace 
To  yawning  gulfe  of  deepe  Avernus  hole  : 

By  that  same  hole  an  entraunce,  darke  and  bace,^ 
With  smoake  and  sulphur  hiding  all  the  place. 
Descends  to  hell :  there  creature  never  past, 
That  backe  retourned  without  heavenly  grace  ; 
But  dreadfuU   Furies,   which  their  chaines   have 

brast,^ 
And  damned   Sprights  sent  forth  to  make  ill  men 

aofhast. 


*o' 


>  Cruddy,  curdy,  clotted-  2  Bace,  low.  8  Brast,  burst 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    V.  117 

S2  By  that  same  way  the  direfull  dames  doe  drive 
Their  mournefuU  charett,  fild  with  rusty  blood, 
And  downe  to  Plutoes  house  are  come  bilive  ^ : 
Which  passing  through,  on  every  side  them  stood 
The  trembling  ghosts  with  sad  amazed  mood, 
Chattring  their  iron  teeth,  and  staring  wide 
With  stony  eies ;  and  all  the  hellish  brood 
Of  feends  infernall  flockt  on  every  side, 

To  gaze  on  erthly  wight,  that  with  the  Night  diici-fcr 
ride. 

33  They  pas  the  bitter  waves  of  Acheron, 
Where  many  soules  sit  wailing  woefully ; 
And  come  to  fiery  flood  of  Phlegeton, 
Whereas  the  damned  ghosts  in  torments  fry,. 
And  with  sharp  shrilling  shriekes  doe  bootlesse  cry,. 
Cursing  high  love,  the  which  them  thither  sent. 
The  House  of  endlesse  Paine  is  built  thereby,, 

In  which  ten  thousand  sorts  ot  punishment 
The  cursed  creatures  doe  eternally  torment. 

34  Before  the  threshold  dreadfull  Cerberus 
His  three  deformed  heads  did  lay  along. 
Curled  with  tliousand  addei-s  venemous  ; 
And  lilled^  forth  his  bloody  flaming  tong : 
At  them  he  gan  to  reare  his  bristles  strong, 
And  felly  gnarre,'  untill  Dayes  enemy 

Did  him  appease ;  then  downe  his  taile  he  hong, 
And  suffered  them  to  passen  quietly  : 
For  she  in  hell  and  heaven  had  power  equally. 

1  BiUve,  quickly.  2  Mled,  lolled.  »  Gnarre,  snorL 


118  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

35  There  was  Ixion  turned  on  a  wheelc, 

For  daring  tempt  the  queene  of  heaven  to  sin; 
And  Sisyphus  an  huge  round  stone  did  reele, 
Against  an  hill,  ne  might  from  labour  lin^  ; 
There  thristy  Tantalus  hong  by  the  chin ; 
And  Tityus  fed  a  vultur  on  his  maw ; 
Typhoeus  ioynts  were  stretched  on  a  gin^  ; 
Theseus  condemnd  to  endlesse  slouth  ^  by  law ; 
And  fifty  sisters  water  in  leke  *  vessels  draw. 

36  They,  all  beholding  worldly  wights  in  place, 
Leave  off  their  worke,  unmindful!  of  their  smart, 
To  gaze  on  them ;  who  forth  by  them  doe  pace, 
Till  they  be  come  unto  the  furthest  part ; 
Where  was  a  cave  ywrought  by  wondrous  art, 
Deepe,  darke,  uneasy,  dolefull,  comfortlesse, 

In  which  sad  Aesculapius  far  apart 
Emprisond  was  in  chaines  remedilesse ; 
For  that  Hippolytus  rent  corse  he  did  redresse.^ 

37  Hippolytus  a  ioUy  huntsman  was. 

That  wont  in  charett  chace  the  foming  bore : 
He  all  his  peeres  in  beauty  did  surpas  ; 
But  ladies  love,  as  losse  of  time,  forbore  : 
His  wanton  stepdame  loved  him  the  more  ; 

1  Lin,  cease.  *  Leke,  leaky. 

2  Gin,  engine.  ^  Redresse,  put  together  Agam. 
8  Slouth,  sloth. 

XXXV.  8.    He  was  condemned  to  sit  constantly  in  one  place. 
XXXV.  9.     Tlie  fifty  sisters   (it  should  be  forty-nine)  are  the 
daughters  of  Dnnaus,  punished  for  murdering  their  husbands. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    V.  119 

But,  when  she  saw  her  oftred  sweets  refusd, 
Her  love  she  turnd  to  hate,  and  him  before 
His  father  fierce  of  treason  false  accusd, 
And  with  lier  gealous  ternies  his  open  eares  abusd : 

S8  Who,  all  in  rage,  his  sea-god  syre  besought 
Some  cursed  vengeaunce  on  his  sonne  to  cast : 
From    surging   gulf  two   monsters   streight   were 

brought ; 
With  dread  whereof  his  chacing  steedes  aghast 
Both  charett  swifte  and  huntsman  overcast. 
His  goodly  corps,  on  ragged  cliffs  yrent,^ 
Was  quite  dismembred,  and  his  members  chast 
Scattei'ed  on  every  mountaine  as  he  went, 

That  of  Hippolytus  was  lefte  no  moniment. 

89  His  cruell  stepdame,  seeing  what  was  donne, 
Her  wicked  dales  with  wretched  knife  did  end 
In  death  avowing  th'  innocence  of  her  sonne. 
Which  hearing,  his  rash  syre  began  to  rend 
His  heare,  and  hasty  tong  that  did  offend : 
Tho,2  gathering  up  the  relicks  of  his  smart. 
By  Dianes  meanes  who  was  Hippolyts  frend, 
Them  brought  to  Aesculape,  that  by  his  art 

Did  heale  them  all  againe,  and  ioyned  every  part. 

io  Such  wondrous  science  in  mans  witt  to  rain. 
When  love  avizd,^  that  could  the  dead  revive, 
And  fates  expired  could  renew  again, 
Of  endlesse  life  he  might  him  not  deprive  ; 

1  Trent,  rent.  2  Tho,  then.  SAvkd,  perceived. 


120  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  unto  hell  did  thrust  him  downe  alive, 
With  flashing  thunderbolt  yvvounded  sore  : 
Where,  long  remaining,  he  did  alwaies  strive 
Himselfe  with  salves  to  health  for  to  restore, 
And  slake  the  heavenly  fii-e  that  raged  evermore. 

41  There  auncient  Night  arriving,  did  alight 
From  her  nigh-weary  wayne,  and  in  her  armes 
To  Aesculapius  brought  the  wounded  knight : 
Whome  having  softly  disaraid  of  armes, 

Tho  gan  to  him  discover  all  his  harmes, 
Beseeching  him  with  prayer,  and  with  praise, 
If  either  salves,  or  oyles,  or  herbes,  or  charmes, 
A  fordonne  ^  wight  from  dore  of  death  mote  raise, 
He  would  at  her  request  prolong  her  nephews  dales. 

42  "  Ah  Dame,"  quoth  he,  "  thou  temptest  me  in  vaine 
To  dare  the  thing,  which  daily  yet  I  rew ; 

And  the  old  cause  of  my  continued  paine 
With  like  attempt  to  like  end  to  renew. 
Is  not  enough,  that,  thrust  from  heaven  dew, 
Here  endlesse  penaunce  for  one  fault  I  pay  ; 
But  that  redoubled  crime  with  vengeaunce  new 
Thou  biddest  me  to  eeke^?     Can  Night  defray* 
The  wrath  of  thundring  love,  that  rules  both  Night 
and  Day  ?  " 

43  "  Not  SO,"  quoth  she  ;  "  but,  sith^  that  heavens  King 
From  hope  of  heaven  hath  thee  excluded  quight, 

1  Fo7'donne,  undone.  ^  Sith,  since. 

2  Eeke,  increase. 

8  Defray,  avert;  literally,  bear  the  charges  of. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    V.  121 

Why  fearest  thou,  that  canst  not  hope  for  thing ; 
And  fearest  not  that  more  thee  hurten  might, 
Now  in  the  powre  of  everlasting  Niglit  ? 
Goe  to  then,  0  thou  tar  renowmed  sonne 
Of  great  Apollo,  shew  thy  famous  might 
In  medicine,  that  els  Iiath  to  thee  wonne 
Great  pains,  and  greater  praise,  both  never  to  be 
donne." 

**  Her  words  prevaild  :  and  then  the  learned  leach 
His  cunnin";  hand  oran  to  his  wounds  to  lav. 
And  all  things  els,  the  which  his  art  did  teach : 
Which  having  seene,  from  thence  arose  av,'ay 
The  mother  of  dredd  darkenesse,  and  let  stay 
Aveugles  sonne  there  in  the  leaches  cure ; 
And,  backe  retourning,  tooke  her  wonted  way 
To  ronne  her  timely  race,  whilst  Phoebus  pure 

In  westerne  waves  his  weary  wagon  did  recui'e.^ 

45  The  false  Duessa,  leaving  noyous  ^  Night, 
Returnd  to  stately  pallace  of  Dame  Pryde  : 
Where  when  she  came,  she  found  the  Faery  Knight 
Departed  thence ;  albee  his  woundes  wyde. 
Not  throughly  heald.  unready  were  to  ryde. 
Good  cause  he  had  to  hasten  thence  away ; 
For  on  a  day  his  wary  Dwarfe  had  spyde 
Where,  in  a  dungeon  deepe,  huge  nombers  lay 

Of  caytive  wretched  thralls,  that  wayled  night  and  day. 

1  Secure,  refresh.  2  ^^oyous,  baleful. 


XLIII.  4. —  "Why  do  you  not  fear  lest  you  should  receive 
some  iidditional  punishment  from  Niglit,  if  you  refuse  her  request 
since  you  are  in  li';r  power?  "    H. 


122  THE    FAERIE    QIIEENE. 

46  A  ruefull  sight  as  could  be  seene  with  eie ; 
Of  whom  he  learned  had  in  secret  wise 
Tlie  hidden  cause  of  their  captivitie  ; 

How  mortgaging  their  lives  to  Covetise, 
Through  wastfull  pride  and  wanton  riotise, 
They  were  by  law  of  that  proud  tyrannesse, 
Provokt  with  Wrath  and  Envyes  false  surmise, 
Condemned  to  that  dongeon  mercilesse, 
Where  they  should  live  in  wo,  and  dye  in  wretched- 
nesse. 

47  There  was  that  great  proud  king  of  Babylon, 
That  would  compeli  all  nations  to  adore, 
And  him,  as  onely  God,  to  call  upon ; 

Till,  through  celestiall  doome  thrown  out  of  dore. 
Into  an  oxe  he  was  transformd  of  yore. 
There  also  was  King  Croesus,  that  enhaunst 
His  hart  too  high  through  his  great  richesse  store ; 
And  proud  Antiochus,  the  which  advaunst 
His  cursed  hand  gainst  God,  and  on  his  altares  daunst. 

48  And,  them  long  time  before,  great  Nimrod  was, 
That  first  the  world  with  sword  and  fire  warrayd^; 
And  after  him  old  Ninus  far  did  pas 

In  princely  pomp,  of  all  the  world  obayd. 
There  also  was  that  mightie  monarch  layd 
Low  under  all,  yet  above  all  in  pride, 

1  Warrayd,  inade  war  upon. 


XLVTI.  8. — Proud  Antioclms.]  This  was  Antiochus,  surnamed 
Epipliaiies,  whose  cruelties  to  the  Jews  and  profanation  of  the 
temple  are  narrated  in  2  Maccabees,  chap,  v.,  vi.,  and  vii.    II. 

XLVIJI.  5.  —  That  mujhtie  monanh.]    Alexander  the  (ircat.  II 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    V.  123 

That  name  of  native  syre  did  fowle  upbrayd, 
And  would  as  Ammons  sonne  be  raagnifide  ; 
Till,  scornd  of  God  and  man,a  shamefull  death  he  dide. 

49  All  these  together  in  one  heape  were  throwne, 
Like  carkases  of  beastes  in  butchers  stall. 
And,  in  another  corner,  wide  were  strowne 
The  antique  ruins  of  the  Romanes  fall : 
Great  Romulus,  the  grandsyre  of  them  all ; 
Proud  Tarcjuia  ;  and  too  lordly  Lentulus  ; 
Stout  Scipio  ;  and  stubborne  Hanniball ; 
Ambitious  Sylla  ;   and  sterne  Marius  ; 

High  Caesar ;  great  Pompey  ;  and  tiers  Antoniua. 

60  Amongst  these  mightie  men  were  wemen  mixt, 
Proud  wemen,  vaine,  forgetfull  of  their  yoke : 
The  bold  Semiramis,  whose  sides  transtixt 
With  sonnes  own  blade  her  fowle  reproches  spoke : 
Fayre  Sthenobcea,  that  her  selfe  did  choke 
With  wilfuU  choid,  for  wanting  of  her  will 
High-minded  Cleopatra,  that  with  stroke 
Of  aspes  sting  her  selfe  did  stoutly  kill : 

And  thousands  moe  the  like,  that  did  that  dongeon 
fill; 


L.  %.- Forgetfull  of  their  yoke.]  Forgetful  of  the  restraints 
imposed  upon  their  sex.    H. 

L  3.  -  The  bold  Semira7nis.]  Semiramis  is  said  to  have  been 
put  to  death  by  her  son  Ninyas,  on  account  of  an  incestuous  pas- 
sion which  slie  avowed  for  him    H.  rv,     ^ 

L.  5.  —  Fayre  Slhenobcea.]  Sthenobcea  was  the  wife  of  Proctus, 
king  of  Argos,  and  committed  suicide  in  consequence  of  an  unsuc 
iCbsful  passion  for  DuUerophon.    H. 


124  TJir:  faekie  queexk. 

51  Besides  the  endlesse  routes  of  wretched  thralles,* 
Which  tlietlier  were  assembled,  day  by  day, 
From  all  the  world,  after  their  wofull  f'alles 
Through  wicked  pride  and  wasted  welthes  decay. 
But  most,  of  all  which  in  that  dongeon  lay, 
Fell  from  high  princes  courtes,  or  ladies  bowres ; 
Where  they  in  ydle  pomp,  or  wanton  play, 
Consumed  had  their  goods  and  thriftlesse  howres, 

And    lastly   thrown    themselves    into    these    heavy 
stowres.^ 

6j  Whose  case  whenas  the  carefull  Dwarfe  had  tould, 
And  made  ensample  of  their  mournfull  sight 
Unto  his  maister,  he  no  lenger  would 
There  dwell  in  perill  of  like  painefuU  plight, 
But  earely  rose ;  and,  ere  that  dawning  light 
Discovered  had  the  world  to  heaven  wyde. 
He  by  a  privy  posterne  tooke  his  Hight, 
That  of  no  envious  eyes  he  mote  be  spyde  : 

For,  doubtlesse,  death  ensewed  if  any  him  descryde. 

6-;  Scarse  could  he  footing  find  in  that  fowle  way, 
For  many  corses,  like  a  great  lay-stall  ^ 
Of  murdred  men,  which  therein  sti'owed  lay 
Without  remorse  or  decent  funerall ; 
Which,  al  through  that  great  Princesse  pride,  did  fall. 
And  came  to  shamefuU  end.    And  them  besyde, 
Forth  ryding  underneath  the  castell  wall, 
A  dongliill  of  dead  carcases  he  spyde  ; 

The  dreadfull  spectacle  of  that  sad  House  of  Pryde. 

1  T/.rdlles,  shivo'i.  8  I^ny-sliill,  a  place  to  put  rubbisli  in 

2  Slvtcres.  troubles,  sorrows. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VJ.  125 


CANTO   VI 


From  lawlesse  lust  by  wondrous  grace 

Fayre  Una  is  releast: 
Whom  salvage  nation  does  adore, 

And  learnes  her  wise  beheast. 


1  As  when  a  ship,  that  flyes  fayre  under  sayle, 
An  hidden  rocke  escaped  hath  unwares, 
That  Uiy  in  waite  her  wrack  for  to  bewaile; 
The  marriner  yet  halfc  amazed  stares 

At  perill  past,  and  yet  in  doubt  ne  dares 
To  ioy  at  his  foolhappie  *  oversight : 
So  doubly  is  distrest  twixt  ioy  and  cares 
The  dreadlesse  corage*  of"  this  Elfin  Knight, 
Having  escapt  so  sad  ensamples  in  his  sight. 

2  Yet  sad  he  was,  that  bis  too  hastie  Sf.eed 
The  fayre  Duess'  had  fbrst  him  leave  behind; 
And  yet  more  sad,  that  Una,  his  deare  dreed,^ 
Her  truth  had  staynd  with  treason  so  unkind ; 
Yet  cryme  in  her  could  never  creature  find  : 
But  for  his  love,  and  for  her  own  selfe  sake, 
She  wandred  had  from  one  to  other  Ynd, 


1  Fovlhappie,  lucky  rather  than  pi-ovident. 

2  Corayv,  heart.     "  '^  Dreed,  object  of  reverence. 
VOL.   I.                                 14 


126  THE    PAEKIE    QURF.NE. 

Him  for  to  seeke,  ne  ever  would  forsake ; 
Till  her  unwares  the  fiers  Sansloy  did  overtake : 

3  Who,  after  Archiraagoes  fowle  defeat, 
Led  her  away  into  a  forest  wilde ; 

And,  turning  wrathfull  fyre  to  bistfuU  heat, 
With  beastly  sin  thought  her  to  have  defilde, 
And  made  the  vassall  of  his  pleasures  vilde. 
Yet  first  he  cast^  by  treatie,  and  by  traynes,^ 
Her  to  persuade  that  stubborne  fort  to  yilde : 
For  greater  conquest  of  hard  love  he  gaynes, 
That  workes  it  to  his  will,  then  he  that  it  constraines. 

4  With  fawning  wordes  he  courted  her  a  while ; 
And,  looking  lovely^  and  oft  sighing  sore, 

Her  constant  hart  did  tempt  with  diverse  guile  : 
But  wordes,  and  lookes,  and  sighes  she  did  abhore  ; 
As  rofk  of  diamond  stedfast  evermore. 
Yet,  tor  to  feed  his  fyrie  lustfuU  eye, 
He  snatcht  the  vele  that  hong  her  face  before : 
Then  gan  her  beautie  shyne  as  brightest  skye, 
And  burnt  his  beastly  hart  t'  efforce  her  chastitye. 

5  So  when  he  saw  his  flatt'ring  artes  to  fayle. 
And  subtile  engines  bett^  from  batteree ; 
With  greedy  force  he  gan  the  fort  assayle, 
Whereof  he  weend  possessed  soone  to  bee, 

1  Cast,  considered  how.  8  lively,  lovingly. 

2  Traynes,  artifices.  *  Bett,  beaten. 

11.  9. —  Till  her  unware.-i,  &c.]      Tlie  adventures   of   Una  lire 
DOW  resumed  from  Canto  III.   H. 


BOOK    I.      CANTO    VI.  127 

And  win  rich  spoile  of  ransackt  chastitee. 
Ah  heavens  !  that  doe  this  hideous  act  behold, 
And  heavenly  virgin  thus  outraged  see, 
How  can  ye  vengeance  iust  so  long  withhold, 
And  hurle  not  flashing  flames  upon  that  Paynim  bold  ? 

6  The  pitteous  Mayden,  carefuU,^  comfortlesse, 
Does  throw  out  thrilling  shriekes,   and  shrieking 

cryes  ; 
The  last  vaine  helpe  of  wemens  great  distresse, 
And  with  loud  plaintes  importuneth  the  skyes  ; 
That  molten  starres  doe  drop  like  weeping  eyes ; 
And  Phoibus,  flying  so  most  shamefuU  sight, 
His  blushing  face  in  foggy  cloud  iraplyes,'^ 
And  hydes  for  shame.     What  witt  of  niortall  wight 
Can  now  devise  to  quitt  a  thrall^  from  such  a  plight  r 

7  Eternall  Providence,  exceeding  thought. 
Where  none  appeares  can  make  her  selfe  a  way : 
A  wondrous  way  it  for  this  Lady  wrought. 
From  lyons  clawes,  vo  pluck  the  gryped  pray. 
Her  shrill  outgryes  and  shrieks  so  loud  did  bray, 
That  all  the  woodes  and  forestes  did  resownd  : 

A  troupe  of  Faunes  and  Satyres  far  away 
Within  the  wood  were  dauncing  in  a  rownd, 
tVhiles  old  Sylvanus  slept  in  shady  arber  sownd : 

8  Who,  when  they  heard  that  pitteous  strained  voice; 
In  haste  forsooke  their  rurall  meriment, 


1  CarefuU,  sorrowful.  ^  Imphjes,  envelopes. 

8  Thrall,  u  person  subjected  to  the  power  of  sinother. 


128  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  ran  towardes  the  far  rebownded  noyce. 
To  weet  what  wight  so  loudly  did  lament. 
Unto  the  place  they  come  incontinent^* 
Whom  when  the  raging  Sarazin  espyde, 
A  rude,  mishappen,  monstrous  rablement, 
Whose  like  he  never  saw,  he  durst  not  byde  ; 
But  got  his  ready  steed,  and  fast  away  gan  ryde. 

9  The  wyld  woodgods,  arrived  in  the  place, 
There  find  the  Virgin,  doolfull,  desolate, 
With  ruffled  rayments,  and  fayre  blubbred^  face. 
As  her  outrageous  foe  had  left  her  late ; 
And  trembling  yet  through  feare  of  former  hate  : 
All  stand  amazed  at  so  uncouth^  sight, 
And  gin  to  pittie  her  unhappie  state  ; 
All  stand  astonied  at  her  beautie  bright. 
In  their  rude  eyes  unworthy  of  so  wofuU  plight. 

10  She,  more  amazd,  in  double  dread  doth  dwell ; 
And  every  tender  part  for  feai-e  does  shake. 
As  when  a  greedy  wolfe,  through  honger  fell, 
A  seely*  lamb  far  from  the  flock  does  take. 
Of  whom  he  meanes  his  bloody  feast  to  make, 
A  lyon  spyes  fast  running  towards  him. 
The  innocent  pray  in  hast  he  does  forsake ; 
Which,  quitt  from  death,  yet  quakes  in  every  lim 

With  cliaunge  of  feare,  to  see  the  lyon  looke  so  grim. 

1  Incontinent,  immediately.  *  Uncouth,  strange. 

2  Blubbrecl,  swelled  with  tears.  *  Seely,  simple. 

IX.  3.  —  Blubbred.]  This  word^  in  Spenser's  time,  had  not 
accjuired  tlio:;e  associations  which  now  forbid  its  use  ui  digniiied 
or  pathetic  passages.    II. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VI.  120 

11  Such  fearefull  fitt  assaid  her  trembling  hart; 
Ne  word  to  speake,  ne  ioynt  to  move,  she  had. 
The  salvage  nation  feele  her  secret  smart, 
And  read  her  son-ow  in  her  count'nance  sad  ; 
Their  frowning  forheades,  with  rough  homes  ydad 
And  rustick  horror,  all  asyde  doe  lay ; 

And,  gently  grenning,^  shew  a  semblance  glad 
To  comfort  her  ;  and,  feare  to  put  away, 
Their  backward-bent  knees  teach  her  humbly  to  obay. 

12  The  doubtfulP  Damzell  dare  not  yet  committ 
Her  single  person  to  their  barbarous  truth ; 
But  still  twixt  feare  and  hope  amazd  does  sitt, 
Late  learnd  what  harme  to  hasty  trust  ensu'th : 
They,  in  compassion  of  her  tender  youth 

And  wonder  of  her  beautie  soverayne, 
Are  wonne  with  pitty  and  unwonted  ruth ; 
And,  all  prostrate  upon  the  lowly  playne, 
Doe  kisse  her  feete,  and  fawne  on  her  with  count'nance 
fayne.* 

13  Their  harts  she  ghesseth  by  their  humble  guise. 
And  yieldes  her  to  extremitie  of  time  : 

So  from  the  ground  she  fearelesse  doth  arise, 
And  walketh  forth  without  suspect  of  crime : 
They,  all  as  glad  as  birdes  of  ioyous  Pryrae,* 
Thence  lead  her  forth,  about  her  dauncing  round, 

1  Grenning,  grinning.  ^  Fnyne,  glad. 

2  Doubtfull,  fearful.  *  Pryme,  spring. 


Xm.  4.—  Without  siispect  of  crime.]     Without  suspecting  or 
anticipating  any  evil.    H. 


130  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Shouting,  and  singing  all  a  shepheards  lyme ; 
And,  with  greene  bvaunches  sti-owingall  the  ground, 
Do  worship  her  as  queene  with  olive  girlond  cround. 

!4  And  all  the  way  their  merry  pipes  they  sound, 
That  all  the  woods  with  doubled  eccho  ring; 
And  with  their  horned  feet  doe  weare  the  ground, 
Leaping  like  wanton  kids  in  pleasant  Spring. 
So  towards  old  Sylvanus  they  her  bring ; 
Who,  with  the  noyse  awaked,  commeth  out 
To  weet^  the  cause,  his  weake  steps  governing 
And  aged  limbs  on  cypresse  stadle'^  stout ; 

And  with  an  yvie  twyne  his  waste  is  girt  about. 

15  Far  off  he  wonders  what  them  makes  so  glad, 
Or  Bacchus  merry  fruit  they  did  invent,^ 
Or  Cybeles  franticke  rites  have  made  them  mad : 
They,  drawing  nigh,  unto  their  god  present 
That  flowre  of  fayth  and  beautie  excellent : 
The  god  himselfe,  vewing  that  mirrhour  rare, 
Stood  long  amazd,  and  burnt  in  his  intent*  : 
His  owne  fayre  Dryope  now  he  thinkes  not  faire, 

And  Plioloe  fowle,  when  her  to  this  he  doth  compaire. 

ic  The  wood-borne  people  fall  before  her  flat. 
And  worship  her  as  goddesse  of  the  wood ; 
And  old  Sylvanus  selfe  bethinkes  not,  what 
To  thinke  of  wight  so  fayre  ;  but  gazing  stood 
In  doubt  to  deeme  her  borne  of  earthly  brood : 

1  Weet,  know.  2  Stadle,  staff.  8  Invent,  discover 

*  I.  e.  glowed  with   admiration  as  he  gazed  upon  her. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    VI.  13J 

Sometimes  Dame  Venus  selfe  he  seemes  to  see ; 
But  Venus  never  had  so  sober  mood  : 
Sometimes  Diana  he  lier  takes  to  be ; 
But  misseth  bow  and  shaftes,  and  buskins  to  her  knee. 

17  By  vew  of  her  he  ginneth^  to  revive 
His  ancient  love,  and  dearest  Cyparisse ; 
And  calles  to  mind  his  pourtraiture  alive, 
How  fayre  he  was,  and  yet  not  fayre  to  this ; 
And  how  he  slew  with  glauncing  dart  amisse 
A  gentle  hynd,  the  which  the  lovely  boy 
Did  love  as  life,  above  all  worldly  blisse : 
For  griefe  whereof  the  lad  n'ould  ^  after  ioy ; 

But  pynd  away  in  anguish  and  selfewild  annoy. 

18  The  wooddy  ny raphes,  faire  Hamadryades, 
Her  to  behold  do  thether  runne  apace  ; 
And  all  the  troupe  of  light-foot  Naiades 
Flocke  all  about  to  see  her  lovely  face  : 

But,  when  they  vewed  have  her  heavenly  grace. 
They  envy  her  in  their  malitious  mind, 
And  fly  away  for  feare  of  fowle  disgrace : 
But  all  the  Satyres  scorne  their  woody  kind. 
And  henceforth  nothing  faire,  but  her,  on  earth  tliey  find. 


9  Glad  of  such  lucke,  the  luckelesse  lucky  Mayd 
Did  her  content  to  please  their  feeble  eyes  ; 

1  Ginneth,  beginneth.  *  N'ould,  would  not. 


XVn.  2.  —  Dearesi  Cyparisse.\  Cyparissus  is  said  to  have  been 
a  beautiful  youth,  who,  having  accidentally  killed  a  favorite  stag 
Vined  away  with  grief,  and  was  clianged  into  a  cypress-tree.   H. 


182  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

And  long  time  with  that  salvage  people  stayd. 
To  gathei'  breath  in  many  miseryes. 
During  wliicli  time  her  gentle  wit  she  plyes, 
To  teach  them  truth,  which  worshipt  her  in  vaine. 
And  made  her  th'  image  of  idolatryes : 
But,  when  their  bootlesse  zeale  she  did  restrayne 
From  her  own  worship,  they  her  asse  would  worship 
fayn. 

20  It  fortuned,  a  noble  warlike  knight 
By  iust  occasion  to  that  forrest  came 
To  seeke  his  kindred,  and  the  lignage  right, 
From  whence  he  tooke  his  wel-deserved  name  : 
He  had  in  armes  abroad  wonne  muchell  fame, 
And  fild  far  landes  with  glorie  of  his  might ; 
Plaine,  faithfuU,  true,  and  enimy  of  shame. 
And  ever  lov'd  to  fight  for  ladies  right : 

But  in  vaine-glorious  frayes  he  litle  did  delight. 

21  A  Satyres  Sonne  yborne  in  forrest  wyld. 
By  sti'aunge  adventures  as  it  did  betyde, 
And  there  begotten  of  a  lady  myld, 
Fayre  Thyamis  the  daughter  of  Labryde ; 
That  was  in  sacred  bandes  of  wedlocke  tyde 
To  Therion,  a  loose  unruly  swayne. 
Who  had  more  ioy  to  raunge  the  forrest  wyde, 
And  chase  the  salvage  beast  with  busie  payne, 
Then  serve  his  ladies  love,  and  waste  in  pleasures 
vayne. 

42  The  forlorne  mayd  did  with  loves  longing  burne, 
And  could  not  lacke  her  lovers  company  ; 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    YI.  133 

But  to  the  wood  she  goes,  to  serve  her  turne, 
And  seeke   her  spouse,  that  from  her  still  does. 

fly 
And  followes  other  game  and  venery  ^ : 
A  Satyre  chaunst  her  wandring  for  to  finde ; 
And  kindling  coles  of  lust  in  brutish  eye, 
The  loyall  linkes  of  wedlocke  did  unbinde, 
And  made  her  person  thrall  unto  his  beastly  kind, 

23  So  long  in  secret  cabin  there  he  held 
Her  captive  to  his  sensuall  desyre, 
Till  that  with  timely  fruit  her  belly  sweld, 
And  bore  a  boy  unto  that  salvage  syre : 
Then  home  he  suffred  her  for  to  retyre  ; 
For  ransome  leaving  him  the  late-borne  childer 
Whom,  till  to  ryper  yeares  he  gan  aspyre. 
He  nousled^  up  in  life  and  manners  wilde, 

Emongst  wild  beastes  and  woods,  from  lawes  of  men^ 
exilde. 

■u  For  all  he  taught  the  tender  ymp  ^  was  but 
To  banish  cowardize  and  bastard  feare  : 
His  trembling  hand  he  would  him  force  to  put 
Upon  the  lyon  and  the  rugged  beare ; 
And  from  the  she-beares  teats  her  whelps  to  teare  ; 
.  And  eke  wyld  roi'ing  buls  he  would  him  make 

1  Venery,  hunting.  8  Ymp,  child. 

2  Nousled,  nursed. 


XXII.  3.  —  To  serve  her  turne.]      To  accomplish  her  objoot. 
which  was,  to  be  with  her  husband.    H. 


134  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

To  tame,  and  ryde  their  backes  not  made  to  beare  ; 
And  the  robuckes  in  tiisrht  to  overtake  : 
That  everie  beast  for  feare  of  him  did  fly  and  quake. 

25  Thereby  so  fearelesse  and  so  fell  he  grew, 
That  his  owne  syre  and  maister  of  his  guise  ^ 
Did  often  tremble  at  his  horrid  vew ; 

And  oft,  for  dread  of  hurt,  would  him  advise 
The  angry  beastes  not  rashly  to  despise, 
Nor  too  much  to  provoke  ;  for  he  would  learne 
The  lyon  stoup  to  him  in  lowly  wise, 
(A  lesson  hard,)  and  make  the  libbard^  sterne 
Leave  roaring,  when  in  rage  he  for  revenge  did  earne.'' 

26  And,  for  to  make  his  powre  approved  more,       , 
Wyld  beastes  in  yron  yokes  he  would  compell ; 
The  spotted  panther,  and  the  tusked  bore, 

The  pardale  ^  swift,  and  the  tigre  cruell. 
The  antelope  and  wolfe,  both  fiers  and  fell : 
And  them  constraine  in  equall  teme  to  draw. 
Such  ioy  he  had  their  stubborne  harts  to  quell, 
And  sturdie  courage  tame  with  dreadfull  aw. 
That  his  beheast  they  feared,  as  a  tyrans  law. 

27  His  loving  mother  came  upon  a  day 
Unto  the  woodes,  to  see  her  little  sonne  ; 
And  chaunst  un  wares  to  meet  him  in  the  way, 
After  his  sportes  and  cruell  pastime  donne  : 
When  after  him  a  lyonesse  did  runne, 

1  I.  e.,  wlio  taiiplit  him  these  ways.  3  Fame,  yearn. 

2  IMard,  leopard.  *  Pardale,  parcl 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VI.  135 

That  roaring  all  with  rage  did  lowd  requere 
Her  children  deare,  whom  he  away  had  wonne: 
The  lyon  whelpes  she  saw  how  he  did  beare, 
And  lull  in  rugged  armes  withouten  childish  feare. 

2a  The  fearefiill  daiue  all  quaked  at  the  sight, 
And  turning  backe  gan  fast  to  fly  away ; 
Untill,  with  love  revokt  from  vaine  aifright, 
She  hardly  yet  perswaded  was  to  stay, 
And  then  to  him  these  womanish  words  gan  say; 
''  Ah  Satyrane,  my  dearling  and  my  ioy. 
For  love  of  me  leave  oif  this  dreadfull  play; 
To  dally  thus  with  death  is  no  fit  toy : 

Go,  find  some  other  play-fellowes,  mine  own  sweet 
boy." 

26  In  these  and  like  delightes  of  bloody  game 
He  trayned  was,  till  ryper  yeares  he  raught* ; 
And  there  abode,  whylst  any  beast  of  name 
Walkt  in  that  forrest,  whom  he  had  not  taught 
To  feare  his  force :  and  then  his  courage  haught  ^ 
Desyrd  of  forreine  foemen  to  be  knowne. 
And  far  abroad  for  straunge  adventures  sought ; 
In  which  his  might  was  never  overthrowne ; 

But  through  al   Faery  loud  his  famous  worth   was 
blown. 

80  Yet  evermore  it  was  his  maner  faire, 
After  long  labours  and  adventures  spent. 
Unto  those  native  woods  for  to  repaire, 

1  Raught,  reached.  *  Haught,  high. 


136  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

To  see  his  syre  and  ofspring  auncient. 
And  now  he  thether  came  for  hke  intent ; 
Where  he  unwares  the  fairest  Una  found, 
Straunge  lady,  in  so  straunge  habihment, 
Teaching  the  Satyres,  which  her  sat  around, 
Trew  sacred  lore,  which  from  her  sweet  lips  did  re 
dound. 

ii  He  wondred  at  her  wisedorae  hevenly  rare. 
Whose  like  in  womens  witt  he  never  knew  ; 
And,  when  her  curteous  deeds  he  did  compare, 
Gan  her  admire,  and  her  sad  sorrowes  rew. 
Blaming  of  Fortune,  which  such  troubles  threw, 
And  ioyd  to  make  proofe  of  her  cruelty 
On  gentle  dame,  so  hurtlesse  and  so  trew : 
Thenceforth  he  kept  her  goodly  company. 

And  learnd  her  discipline  of  faith  and  verity. 

32  But  she,  all  vowd  unto  the  Redcrosse  Knight, 
His  wandring  perill  closely  ^  did  lament, 
Ne  in  this  new  acquaintaunce  could  delight ; 
But  her  deare  heart  with  anguish  did  torment, 
And  all  her  witt  in  secret  counsels  spent. 
How  to  escape.     At  last  in  privy  wise 
To  Satyrane  she  shewed  her  intent ; 
Who,  glad  to  gain  such  favour,  gan  devise. 

How  with  that  pensive  Maid  he  best  might  thence 
arise.^ 

1  Closely,  secretly.  2  Arise,  depart. 


XXX.  4. —  Ofspring    auncient.]       Ofspring   is   here   used  fo'- 
origin.    So  m  Fairfax's  Tasso,  VII.  18.    G. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VI.  137 

^3  So  on  a  day,  when  Satyres  all  were  gone 
To  doe  their  service  to  Sylvanus  old, 
The  gentle  Virgin,  left  behinde  alone. 
He  led  away  with  corage  stout  and  bold. 
Too  late  it  was  to  Satyres  to  be  told, 
Or  ever  hope  recover  her  againe  : 
In  vaine  he  seekes  that,  having,  cannot  hold. 
So  fast  he  carried  her  with  carefuU  paino. 

That  they  the  wods  are  past,  and  corae  now   to  the 
plaine. 

34  The  better  part  now  of  the  lingring  day 
They  traveild  had,  wlienas  they  far  espide 
A  weary  wight  forwandring  by  the  way ; 
And  towards  him  they  gan  in  hast  to  ride, 
To  weete  of  newes  that  did  abroad  betide, 
Or  tidino^s  of  her  Knisfht  of  the  Redcrosse  ; 
But  he,  them  spying,  gan  to  turne  aside 

For  feare,  as  seemd,  or  for  some  feigned  losse : 
More  greedy  they  of  newes  fast  towards  him  do  crosse. 

35  A  silly  ^  man,  in  simple  weeds  forworne,** 
And  soild  with  dust  of  the  long  dried  way ; 
His  sandales  were  with  toilsome  travell  tome, 
And  face  all  tand  with  scorching  sunny  ray, 
As  he  had  traveild  many  a  somraers  day 
Through  boyling  sands  of  Arabie  and  Ynde ; 

1  Silly,  simple,  rustic.  '  Furicoiiie,  worn  out. 


XXXIV.  3.  —  ^  u-eary  wight.]  This  is  Archimago,  who  was 
left  insensible  on  tlie  gi-ound,  after  his  er.counter  witli  Sansloy, 
Canto  111.  Stanzii  39.    H. 


138  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  in  his  hand  a  Jacobs  staffe,  to  stay 
His  weary  hmbs  upon ;  and  eke  l)ehind 
His  scrip  did  liang,  in  whicli  liis  needments  he  did  bind. 

36  The  Knight,  approching  nigh,  of  iiini  inquerd 
Tidings  of  warre,  and  of  adventures  new  ; 

But  warres,  nor  new  adventures,  none  he  herd. 
Then  Una  gan  to  aske,  if  ought  he  knew 
Or  Iieard  abroad  of  that  her  Champion  trew, 
That  in  his  armour  bare  a  croslet  ^  red. 
"  Ay  me  !  deare  Dame,"  quoth  he,  "  well  may  I  rew 
To  tell  the  sad  sight  which  mine  eies  have  red  ^; 
These  eies  did  see  that  knight  both  living  and  eke  ded." 

37  That  cruell  word  her  tender  hart  so  thrild, 
That  suddein  cold  did  ronne  through  every  vaine, 
And  stony  horrour  all  her  sences  fild 

With  dying  fitt,  that  downe  she  fell  for  paine. 
The  Knight  her  lightly  reared  up  againe. 
And  comforted  with  curteous  kind  reliefe  : 
Then,  wonne  from  death,  she  bad  him  tellen  plaine 
The  further  processe  of  her  hidden  griefe : 
The  lesser  pangs  can  beare,  who  hath  endur'd  the 
chief. 

1  Croslet,  small  cross.  ^  jjerf,  beheld. 


XXXV.  7.  —  A  lacobs  sUiffeJ]  "  A  pilgrim's  staff;  either  from 
the  frequent  pilgrimages  to  St.  James  of  Comj)ostella,  or  because 
the  Apostle  St.  James  was  usually  represented  with  one." 
—  Nakks. 

XXXVII.  8.  —  The  further  pi-ocesse  of  her  huJden  griefe.]  A 
"urther  account  of  that  wl  ich  called  forth  her  hidden  grief.    H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VI,  139 

38  Then  gan  the  Pilgrim  thus  :  "  I  chaunst  this  day, 
This  fatall  day,  that  shall  I  ever  rew, 
To  see  two  knights,  in  travell  on  my  way, 
(A  sory  sight,)  arraung'd  in  batteill  new, 
Both  breathing  vengeaunce,  both  of  wrathful!  hew ; 
My  feareful  flesh  did  tremble  at  their  strife, 
To  see  their  blades  so  greedily  inibrew, 
That,  dronke  with  blood,  yet  thristed^  after  life: 

What  more  ?  the   Redcrosse  Knight  was  slain  with 
Paynim  knife." 

S9  "Ah!  dearest  Lord,"  quoth  she,  "how  might  that  bee, 
And  he  the  stoutest  knight,  that  ever  wonne  ?  " 
"  Ah !  dearest  Dame,  quoth  hee,  "  how  might  I  see 
The  thing,  that  might  not  be,  and  yet  was  donne  ?  " 
"  Where  is,"  said  Satyrane,  "  that  Paynims  sonne, 
That  him  of  life,  and  us  of  ioy,  hath  refte  ?  " 
"  Not  far  away,"  quoth  he,  "  he  hence  doth  wonne,'^ 
Foreby^  a  fountaine,  where  I  late  him  lefte 

Washing  his  bloody  wounds,  that  throDgh  the  Steele 
were  cleft." 

40  Therewith  the  Knight  then  marched  forth  in  hast, 
Whiles  Una,  with  huge  heavinesse  opprest. 
Could  not  for  sorrow  follow  him  so  fast ; 
And  soone  he  came,  as  he  the  place  had  ghest, 
Whereas  that  Pagan  proud  himselfe  did  rest 

1  7  hrisfed,  thirsted.  »  Foreby,  near  to. 

2  Wonne,  dwell. 


XL.  5.—  That  Pagan  jn-oiul]     This  wiis  Sansloy,  from  whom 
Una  had  been  rescued  by  the  Satyrs.    Ante,  Stanza  8.  H. 


140  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

In  secret  shadow  by  a  fountaine  side ; 
Even  he  it  was,  that  earst  would  have  supprest^ 
Faire  Una;  whom  when  Satyrane  espide, 
With  foule  reprochfull  words  he  boldly  liim  defide  ; 

41  And  said :  "  Arise,  thou  cursed  raiscreaunt, 

That  hast  with  knightlesse  guile,  and  trecherous 

train, 
Faire  knighthood  fowly  shamed,  and  doest  vaunt 
That  good  Knight  of  the  Redcrosse  to  have  slain : 
Arise,  and  with  like  treason  now  maintain 
Thy  guilty  wrong,  or  els  thee  guilty  yield." 
The  Sarazin,  this  hearing,  rose  amain, 
And,  catching  up  in  hast  his  three-square  shield 
And  shining  helmet,  soone  him  buckled  to  the  field  ; 

42  And,  drawing  nigh  him,  said  :  "  Ah  !  misborn  Elfe, 
In  evill  houre  thy  foes  thee  hither  sent 
Anothers  wrongs  to  wreak  upon  thy  selfe  : 

Yet  ill  thou  blamest  me,  for  having  blent  ^ 
My  name  with  guile  and  traiterous  intent : 
That  Redcrosse  Knight,  perdie,^  I  never  slew ; 
But  had  he  beene  where  earst  his  armes  were  lent, 
Th'  P^nchaunter  vaine  his  errour  should  not  rew : 
But  thou  his  errour  shalt,  I  hope,  now  proven  trew." 

1  Stipprest,  violated.  '  Pei-die,  (pardieu,)  in  truth. 

2  Bkni,  stiiined. 

XLll.  7.  —  But  had  he  beene,  ^c]  Bat  hiid  lie  been  in  the 
place  of  Archimago  (see  Canto  III.  Stanza  3S),  the  Enchanter 
should  not  lament  the  mistake  he  made  in  undertaking  to  fight 
with  me.    C. 


BOOK   I.       CANTO    VI.  141 

43  Therewith  they  gan,  both  furious  and  fell, 
To  thunder  blowes,  and  fiersly  to  assaile 
Each  other,  bent  his  enimy  to  quell ; 

That  with  their  force   they  perst  both  plate  and 

rnaile, 
And  made  wide  furrowes  in  their  fleshes  fraile, 
That  it  would  pitty  any  living  eie : 
Large  floods  of  blood  adowne  their  sides  did  raile^ ; 
But  floods  of  blood  could  not  them  satisfie : 
Both  hongred  after  death ;  both  chose  to  wm,  or  die. 

44  So  long  they  fight,  and  full  revenge  pursue, 
That,  fainting,  each  themselves  to  breathen  lett ; 
And,  ofte  refreshed,  battell  oft  renue. 

As  when  two  bores,  with  rancling  malice  mett, 
Their  gory  sides  fresh  bleeding  fiercely  frett^; 
Til  breathlesse  both  themselves  aside  retire, 
Where,  foming    wrath,    their  cruell  tuskes  they 

whett, 
And  trample  th'  earth,  the  whiles  they  may  respire ; 
Then  backs  to  fight  againe,  new  breathed  and  entire. 

40  So  fiersly,  when  these  knights  had  breathed  once. 
They  gan  to  fight  retourne  ;  increasing  more 
Their  puissant  force,  and  cruell  rage  attonce. 
With  heaped  strokes  more  hugely  then  »  before  ; 
That  with  their  drery  wounds,  and  bloody  gore. 
They  both  deformed,  scarsely  could  bee  known. 
By  this,  sad  Una  fraught  with  anguish  sore, 

1  Raile,  flow.  ^  Then,  than. 

2  Frttt,  tear. 

VOL.  I.  15 


142  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Led  with  their  noise  which  through  the  aire  was 
tlirown, 
Arriv'd,  wher  they  in  erth  their  fruitles  blood  had 
sown. 

46  Whom  all  so  soone  as  that  proud  Sarazin 
Espide,  he  gan  revive  the  memory 

Of  his  leud  lusts,  and  late  attempted  sin ; 
And  lefte  the  doubtfuU  battell  hastily, 
To  catch  her,  newly  offred  to  his  eie : 
But  Satyrane,  with  strokes  him  turning,  staid, 
And  sternely  bad  him  other  businesse  plie 
Then  hunt  the  steps  of  pure  unspotted  maid ; 
Wherewith  he  al  enrag'd  these  bitter  speaches  said  : 

47  "  0  foolish  Faeries  sonne,  what  fury  mad 
Hath  thee  incenst  to  hast  thy  doleful!  fate  ? 
Were  it  not  better  I  that  lady  had 

Then  that  thou  hadst  repented  it  too  late  ? 
Most  sencelesse  man  he,  that  himselfe  doth  hate 
To  love  another :  Lo  then,  for  thine  ayd. 
Here  take  thy  lovers  token  on  thy  pate." 
So  they  to  fight ;   the  whiles  the  royall  Mayd 
Fledd  farre  away,  of  that  proud  Paynim  sore  afrayd. 

18  But  that  false  Pilgrim,  which  that  leasing^  told. 
Being  in  deed  old  Archimage,  did  stay 
In  secret  shadow  all  this  to  behold  ; 
And  much  reioyced  in  their  bloody  fray : 
But,  when  he  saw  the  Damsell  passe  away, 

1  Leasing,  falsehood. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VI.  143 

He  left  his  stond/  and  her  pursewd  apace, 
In  hope  to  bring  her  to  her  last  decay.^ 
But  for  to  tell  her  lamentable  cace, 
And  eke  this  battels  end,  will  need  another  place.* 

1  Stand,  station.  2  Last  decay,  final  destruction. 

XLVIII.  9.  —  And  eke  this  battels  end.]  The  poet  never  redeems 
the  promise  here  made  to  tell  us  the  issue  of  this  battle.  Sir 
Satyrane  reajipears  in  the  Third  Book,  Canto  VII.    H. 

*  In  Una's  residence  with  the  Satyrs,  the  poet  may  give  us  to 
understand  that  Truth,  in  a  corrupt  age,  may  be  found  hidden 
among  a  rural  population,  and  in  "huts  where  poor  men  lie"; 
and  in  Sir  Satyrane  he  may  mean  to  personify  the  restoring  en- 
ergy which  resides  in  the  heart  of  a  virtuous  people.     H. 


144  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 


CANTO   VIL 


The  Redcrosse  Knight  is  captive  niado, 
Bj'  Gyauiit  proud  opprest: 

Prince  Arthure  meets  with  Una  great- 
ly witli  those  newes  distrest. 


1  What  man  so  wise,  what  earthly  witt  so  ware,^ 
As  to  disciy  the  crafty  cunning  traine, 
By  which  Deceipt  doth  maske  in  visour  faire, 
And  cast  her  coulours  died  deepe  in  graine, 
To  seeme  Hke   Truth  whose  shape  she  well  can 

faine, 
And  fitting  gestures  to  her  purpose  frame, 
The  guiltlesse  man  with  guile  to  entertaine  ? 
Great  maistresse  of  her  art  was  that  false  dame, 
The  false  Duessa,  cloked  with  Fidessaes  name. 


*j 


2  Who  when,  returning  from  the  drery  Night, 
She  fownd  not  in  that  perilous  Hous  of  Pryde, 
Where  she  had  left,  the  noble  Redcross  Knight, 
Her  hoi)ed  pray,  she  would  no  lenger  byde. 
But  forth  she  went  to  seeke  him  far  and  wide. 
Ere  long  she  fownd,  whereas  he  wearie  sate 
To  rest  him  selfe,  foreby^  a  fountaine  syde, 

1  Ware,  cautious.  ^  Fortby,  near. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    VII.  145 

Disarmed  all  of  yron-coted  plate ; 
And  by  his  side  his  steed  the  grassy  forage  ate. 

3  Hee  feedes  upon  the  cooling  shade,  and  bayes  ^ 
His  sweatie  forehead  in  the  breathing  wynd, 
Which  through  the  trembling  leaves  full  gently 

playes, 
Wherein  the  chearefuU  birds  of  sundry  kynd 
Doe  chaunt  sweet  musick,  to  delight  his  mynd : 
The  Witch  appi'oching  gan  him  fayrely  greet, 
And  with  reproch  of  carelesnes  unkynd 
Upbrayd,  for  leaving  her  in  place  unmeet. 
With  fowle  words  tempring  faire,  soure  gall  with 

hony  sweet. 

4  Unkindnesse  past,  they  gan  of  solace  treat, 
And  bathe  in  pleasaunce  of  the  ioyous  shade, 
Which  shielded  them  against  the  boyling  heat, 
And,  with  greene  boughes  decking  a  gloomy  glade, 
About  the  fountaine  like  -  a  girlond  made  ; 
Whose  bubbling  wave  did  ever  freshly  well, 

Ne  ever  would  through  fervent  sommer  fade  : 
The  sacred  Nymph,  which  therein  wont  to  dwell. 
Was  out  of  Dianes  favor,  as  it  then  befell. 

&  The  cause  was  this :  One  day,  when  Phoebe  fayre 
With  all  her  band  was  following  the  chace. 
This  Nymph,  quite  tyr'd  with  heat  of  scorching  ayre 
Satt  downe  to  rest  in  middest  of  the  race  : 
The  goddesse  wroth  gan  fowly  her  disgrace, 

1  Bayes,  bathes.  2  jjke,  as  it  wero. 


14G  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  bacld  the  waters,  which  from  her  did  flow, 
Be  such  as  she  her  selfe  was  then  in  place. 
Thenceforth  her  waters  wexed  dull  and  slow  ; 
And  all,  that  drinke  thereof,  do  faint  and  feeble  grow. 

6  Hereof  this  gentle  Knight  unweeting^  was  ; 
And,  lying  downe  upon  the  sandie  graile,^ 
Dronke  of  the  streame,  as  cleare  as  christall  glas : 
Eftsoones  his  manly  forces  gan  to  fayle. 

And  mightie  strong  was  turnd  to  feeble  frayle. 
His  chaunged  powres  at  first  themselves  not  felt ; 
Till  crudled^  cold  his  corage*  gan  assayle, 
And  chearefull  blood  in  fayntnes  chill  did  melt, 
Which,  like  a  fever  fit,  through  all  his  bodie  swelt.^ 

7  Yet  goodly  court  he  made  still  to  his  Dame, 
Pourd  out  in  loosnesse  on  the  grassy  grownd, 
Both  carelesse  of  his  health,  and  of  his  fame  : 
Till  at  the  last  he  heard  a  dreadfuU  sownd. 
Which  through  the  wood  loud  bellowing  did  re- 

bownd, 
That  all  the  earth  for  terror  seemd  to  shake. 
And  trees  did  tremble.    Th'  Elfe,  therewith  astow^nd, 
Upstarted  lightly  from  his  looser  make,® 
And  his  unready  weapons  gan  in  hand  to  take. 

8  But  ere  he  could  his  armour  on  him  dight, 
Or  gett  his  shield,  his  monstrous  enimy 
With  sturdie  steps  came  stalking  in  his  sight, 

1  Unmeting,  ignorant.  ■*  Corage,  heart. 

2  Graile,  gravel.  ^  Smelt,  swelled,  spread. 

3  Crudkd,  curdled.  «  Make,  mate. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VIl.  147 

An  hedious  geaunt,  horrible  and  hye, 
That  with  liis  talhiesse  seemd  to  tiireat  the  skye; 
The  ground  eke  groned  under  hiui  for  dreed : 
His  living  Hke  saw  never  living  eye, 
Ne  durst  behold  ;  his  stature  did  exceed 
The  hight  of  three  the  tallest  sonnes  of  mortall  seed, 

9  The  greatest  Earth  his  uncouth  mother  was, 
And  blustring  ^olus  his  boasted  syre  ; 
Who   Avith   his  breath,  which   through  the  world 

doth  pas, 
Her  hollow  womb  did  secretly  inspyre, 
And  fild  her  hidden  caves  with  stormie  yre, 
That  she  conceiv'd  ;  and  trebling  the  dew  time, 
In  which  the  wombes  of  wemen  do  expyre,^ 
Brought  foi'th  this  monstrous  masse  of  eaithly  slynie, 
Puft  up  with  emptie  wynd,  and  fild  with  siufuU  crymo. 

10  So  growen  great,  through  arrogant  dehght 
Of  th'  high  descent  whereof  he  was  yboi*ne. 

And  through  presumption  of  his  matchlesse  might, 
All  other  powres  and  knighthood  he  did  scorne. 
Such  now  he  marcheth  to  tliis  man  forlorne, 
And  left  to  losse ;  his  stalking  steps  are  stayde 
Upon  a  snaggy  oke,  which  he  had  torne 
Out  of  his  mothers  bowelles,  and  it  made 
His  mortall  mace,  wherewith  his  foemen  he  dismayde. 

11  That,  when  the  Knight  he  spyde,  he  ganadvaunce 
With  huge  force  and  insupportable  mayne,^ 

1  Expyre,  bring  forth.  2  Mayne,  strength. 


148  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

A  lid  towardes  him  with  dreadfull  fury  praunce ; 
Who  haplesse,  and  eke  hopelesse,  all  in  vaine 
Did  to  him  pace  sad  battaile  to  darrayne,^ 
Disarmd,  disgraste,^  and  inwardly  dismayde  ; 
And  eke  so  faint  in  every  ioynt  and  vayne, 
Through  that  fraile  fountain,  which  him  feeble  made, 
That  scarsely  could  he  weeld  his  bootlesse  single  blade. 

12  The  Geaunt  strooke  so  maynly'  mercilesse, 
That  could  have  overthrowne  a  stony  towre  ; 
And,  were  not  hevenly  grace  that  did  him  bles8e, 
He  had  beene  pouldred  *  all,  as  thin  as  flowre : 
But  he  was  wary  of  that  deadly  stowre,* 

And  lightly  lept  from  underneath  the  blow : 
Yet  so  exceeding  was  the  villeins  powre, 
That  with  the  winde  it  did  him  overthrow, 
And  all  his  sences  stoond,*^  that  still  he  lay  full  low. 

13  As  when  that  divelish  yron  engin,  wrought 
In  deepest  hell,  and  fi'amd  by  furies  skill, 
With  windy  nitre  and  quick  sulphur  fraught, 
And  ramd  with  bollet  rownd,  ordaind  to  kill, 
Conceiveth  fyre  ;  the  heavens  it  doth  fill 

With  thundring  noyse,  and  all  the  ayre  doth  choke, 
That  none  can  breath,  nor  see,  nor  heare  at  will. 
Through  smouldry '  cloud  of  duskish  stinckingsmok ; 
That  th'  onely  breath  him  daunts,  who  hath  escapt 
the  stroke. 

1  Darrayne,  contest.  5  Slowre,  peril. 

2  Disf/raste,  degraded,  enfeebled.  ^  Stoond,  stunned. 

3  Moynly,  strongly.  7  SmoiMry,  smothering. 
*  Pouldred^  powdered. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VII.  1 4*> 

u  So  daunted  when  the  Geaunt  saw  the  Knight, 
His  heavie  hand  he  heaved  up  on  hye, 
And  him  to  dust  thought  to  have  battred  quight, 
Untill  Dnessa  loud  to  him  gan  crye  ; 
"  0  great  Orgogho,^  greatest  under  skye, 
O,  hold  thy  mortall  hand  for  ladies  salve ! 
Hold  for  my  sake,  and  doe  him  not  to  dye, 
But  vanquisht  thine  eternall  bondslave  make, 

A.nd  me,  thy  worthy  meed,  unto  thy  leman  take."^ 

15  He  hearkned,  and  did  stay  from  further  liarmes^ 
To  gayne  so  goodly  guerdon  as  she  spake : 

So  willingly  she  came  into  his  armes, 
Who  her  as  willingly  to  grace  ^  did  take, 
And  was  possessed  of  his  newfound  make.' 
Then  up  he  tooke  the  slombred  sencelesse  corse>5, 
And,  ere  he  could  out  of  his  swowne  awake,. 
Him  to  his  castle  brought  with  hastie  forse,. 
And  in  a  dongeon  deep  him  threw  without  remorse. 

16  From  that  day  forth  Duessa  was  his  deare, 
And  highly  honourd  in  his  haughtie  eye : 
He  gave  her  gold  and  purple  pall  to  weare, 

1  Orgoglio,  Italian  for  Pride  or  Arrogance.  *  Make,  mate. 

2  Grace,  fiivor. 


XVI.  \.~Frmn  that  day  forth,  Sic.]  This  description  of  Du- 
essa and  of  the  "monstrous  beast"  is  evidently  suggested  by  the 
scarlet  woman  and  the  seven-headed  dragon,  in  the  Apocalypse ;  and 
from  this  circumstance  and  the  triple  crown  the  poet  is  supposed 
to  typify  the  Romish  Church,  and  by  the  captivity  of  the  knight, 
the  subjection  of  the  Christian  Church  to  the  dominion  oi  the 
Pope.    H. 


150  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  triple  crowne  set  on  her  head  full  hye, 
And  her  endowd  with  royall  maiestye  : 
Then,  for  to  make  her  dreaded  more  of  men, 
And  peoples  hartes  with  awfull  terror  tye, 
A  monstrous  beast  ybredd  in  filthy  fen 
He  chose,  which  he  had  kept  long  time  in  darksora 
den. 

17  Such  one  it  was,  as  that  renowraed  snake 
Which  great  Alcides  in  Stremona  slew. 
Long  fostred  in  the  filth  of  Lerna  hike  : 
Whose  many  heades  out-budding  ever  new 
Did  breed  him  endlesse  labor  to  subdew. 
But  this  same  monster  much  more  ugly  was ; 
For  seven  great  heads  out  of  his  body  grew, 
An  yron  brest,  and  back  of  scaly  bras, 

And  all   erabrewd  in   blood   his    eyes   did  shine  as 


glas. 


18  His  tayle  was  stretched  out  in  wondrous  length, 
That  to  the  hous  of  hevenly  gods  it  raught^ ; 
And  with  extorted  powre,  and  borrow'd  strength. 
The  everburning  lamps  from  thence  it  braught, 
And  prowdly  threw  to  ground,  as  things  of  naught ; 
And  underneath  his  filthy  feet  did  tread 
The  sacred  thinges,  and  holy  heastes"  fbretaught. 
Upon  this  dreadful]  beast  with  sevenfold  head 

He  sett  the  false  Duessa,  for  moi'e  aw  and  dread. 

iRaugkt,  reached.        ^Ileastes,  commandments  (before  taught). 

XVTI.  2.     Spenser  appears,  through  a  lapse  of  memory,  to  have 
ptlt  Stremona  for  Amynione.    C. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    VII.  151 

19  The  wofull  Dwarfe,  which  saw  his  maislers  falL, 
(Whiles  he  Iiad  keeping  of  his  gi'asing  steed,) 
And  vahant  knight  become  a  caytive^  thrall, 
Wlien  all  was  past,  tooke  up  his  forlorne  weed*; 
His  mightie  armour,  missing  most  at  need ; 
His  silver  shield,  now  idle,  maisterlesse ; 
His  poynant^  speare,  that  many  made  to  bleed; 
The  ruefuU  raoniments  of  heavinesse ; 

And  with   them  all  departes,  to  tell  his  great  dis- 
tresse. 

80  He  had  not  travaild  long,  when  on  the  way 
He  wofull  lady,  wofull  Una,  met, 
Fast  flying  from  that  Paynims  greedy  pray, 
Whitest  Satyrane  him  from  pursuit  did  let* . 
Who  wlien  her  eyes  she  on  the  Dwarf  had  set, 
And  saw  the  signes  that  deadly  tydinges  spake, 
She  fell  to  ground  for  sorrowfuU  regret, 
And  lively  breath  her  sad  brest  did  forsake  ; 

Yet  might  her  pitteous  hart  be  seene  to  pant  and 
quake. 

31  The  messenger  of  so  unhappie  newes 

Would  faine  have  dyde  ;  dead  was  his  hart  within ; 

Yet  outwardly  some  little  comfort  shewes : 

At  last,  recovering  hart,  he  does  begin 

To  rubb  her  temples,  and  to  chaufe  her  chin. 

And  everie  tender  part  does  tosse  and  turne  : 

So  hardly  he  the  flitted  life  does  win 


1  Cayhve,  captive.  sPoynant,  piercing. 

-  Forkr<-ne  weed,  abandoned  dress.        *  Let,  Iiinder. 


152  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

Unto  her  native  prison  to  retourne. 
Then  gins   her  gi-ieved   ghost  thus   to  lament  and 
moux-ne : 

22  "  Ye  dreary  instruments  of  dolefull  sight, 
That  doe  this  deadly  spectacle  behold, 
Why  do  ye  lenger  feed  on  loathed  light, 
Or  liking  find  to  gaze  on  earthly  mould, 
Sith  cruell  fates  the  carefuU  threds  unfould. 
The  which  my  life  and  love  together  tyde  ? 
Now  let  the  stony  dart  of  sencelesse  cold 
Perce  to  my  hart,  and  pas  through  everie  side ; 

And  let  eternall  night  so  sad  sight  fro  me  hyde. 

23  "  0  lightsome  Day,  the  lampe  of  highest  love, 
First  made  by  him  mens  wandring  wayes  to  guyde, 
When  darknesse  he  in  deepest  dongeon  drove ; 
Henceforth  thy  hated  face  for  ever  hyde. 

And  shut  up  heavens  windowes  shyning  wyde  : 
For  earthly  sight  can  nought  but  sorow  breed. 
And  late  repentance,  which  shall  long  abyde. 
Mine  eyes  no  more  on  van i tie  shall  feed, 
But,  seeled  up   with  death,  shall  have  their  deadly 
meed." 

24  Then  downe  againe  she  fell  unto  the  ground ; 
But  he  her  quickly  reared  up  againe  : 

Thrise  did  she  sinke  adowne  in  deadly  swownd, 
And  thrise  he  her  reviv'd  with  busie  paine. 
At  last  when  life  recover'd  had  the  raine, 
And  over-wrestled  liis  strong  enimy, 
With  foltring  tong,  and  tx'embling  everie  vaine, 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    VII.  153 

"  Tell  on,"  quoth  she,  "  the  wofuU  tragedy, 
The  which  these  reliques  sad  present  unto  mine  eye: 

ij  "  Tempestuous  Fortune  hath  spent  all  her  spight. 
And  thrilling  Sorrow  throwne  his  utmost  dart : 
Thy  sad  tong  cannot  tell  more  heavy  plight 
Then  *  that  I  feele,  and  harbour  in  mine  hart : 
Who  hath  endur'd  the  whole,  can  beare  ech  part. 
If  death  it  be,  it  is  not  the  first  wound, 
That  launched  hath  my  brest  with  bleeding  smart. 
Begin,  and  end  the  bitter  balefull  stound'^; 

If  lesse  then^  that  I  feare,  more  favour  I  have  found." 

26  Then  gan  the  Dwarfe  the  whole  discourse  declare ; 

The  subtile  traines  of  Archimago  old ; 

The  wanton  loves  of  false  Fidessa  fayre, 

Bought  with  the  blood  of  vanquisht  Paynim  bold ; 

The  wretched  payre  transforrad  to  treen  mould  ; 

The  House  of  Pryde,  and  perilles  round  about ; 

The  combat,  which  he  with  Sansioy  did  hould ; 

The  lucklesse  conflict  with  the  Gyaunt  stout. 
Wherein  captiv'd,  of  life  or  death  he  stood  in  doubt. 

^^  She  heard  with  patience  all  unto  the  end  ; 
And  strove  to  maister  sorrowful!  assay,* 
Which  greater  grew,  the  more  she  did  contend, 
And  almost  rent  her  tender  hart  in  tway  ; 
And  love  fresh  coles  unto  her  fire  did  lay  : 
For  greater  love,  the  greater  is  the  losse. 
Was  never  lady  loved  dearer  day  * 

1  Then,  than.  ^  ^^«2''  access,  attack. 

2  Stound,  time.  *  ^("J>  >•  «•  ''^e. 


154  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Then  she  did  love  the  Knight  of  tlie  Redcrosse  ; 
For  whose  deare  sake  so  many  troubles  her  did  tosse. 

2a  At  last,  when  fervent  sorrow  slaked  was, 
She  up  arose,  resolving  him  to  find. 
Alive  or  dead ;  and  forward  forth  doth  pas, 
All  as  the  Dwarfe  the  way  to  her  assynd  ^ : 
And  evermore,  in  constant  carefull  mind, 
She  fedd  her  wound  with  fresh  renewed  bale*: 
Long  tost  with  stormes,  and  bet  with  bitter  wind, 
High  over  hills,  and  lowe  adowne  the  dale. 

She  wandred  many  a  wood,  and  measurd  many  a  vale. 

29  At  last  she  chaunced  by  good  hap  to  meet 
A  goodly  knight,  faire  marching  by  the  way, 
Together  with  his  squyre,  arayed  meet : 
His  glitterand  armour  shined  far  away, 

Like  glauncing  light  of  Phoebus  brightest  ray ; 
From  top  to  toe  no  place  appeared  bare. 
That  deadly  dint  of  Steele  endanger  may : 
Athwart  his  brest  a  bauldrick  brave  he  ware, 
That  shind,  like  twinkling  stars,  with  stones   most 
pretious  rare : 

30  And,  in  the  midst  thereof,  one  pretious  stone 

Of  wondrous  worth,  and  eke  of  wondrous  mights, 
Shapt  like  a  ladies  head,  exceeding  shone, 

1  Assynd,  pointed  out.  2  Bale,  sorrow. 

XXIX.  2. — A  goodly  knight.]  This  is  Prince  Arthur,  in 
whose  faultless  excellence  Spenser  \i  supposed  to  have  repre- 
sented his  illustrious  friend,  Sir  Philip  Sidney.    H. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    VII.  155 

Like  Hesperus  eniongst  the  lesser  lights, 
And  strove  for  to  amaze  the  weaker  sights  : 
Thereby  his  mortall  blade  full  comely  hong 
In  yvory  sheath,  ycarv'd  with  curious  slights,^ 
Whose  hilts  were  burnisht  gold  ;  and  handle  strong 
Of  mother  perle  ;  and  buckled  with  a  golden  tong. 

31  His  haughtie  helmet,  horrid  all  with  gold, 

Both  glorious  brightnesse  and  great  terrour  bredd : 
For  all  the  crest  a  dragon  did  enfold 
With  greedie  pawes,  and  over  all  did  spredd 
His  golden  winges ;  his  dreadfuU  hideous  hedd. 
Close  couched  on  the  bever,  seemd  to  throw 
From  flaming  mouth  bright  sparckles  fiery  redd, 
That  suddeine  horrour  to  faint  hartes  did  show ; 
And  scaly  tayle  was  stretcht  adowne  his  back  full  low. 

32  Upon  the  top  of  all  his  loftie  crest, 

A  bounch  of  heares  discolourd  diversly, 
With  sprincled  pearle  and  gold  full  richly  drest, 
Did  shake,  and  seemd  to  daunce  for  iollity  ; 
Like  to  an  almond  tree  ymounted  hye 
On  top  of  greene  Selinis  all  alone, 
With  blossoms  brave  bedecked  daintily ; 
Whose  tender  locks  do  tremble  every  one 
At  everie  little  breath,  that  under  heaven  is  blowne. 

1  Sliyhis,  devices. 


XXXTI.  e.  —  SeUnis,  more  properly  Selinus,  a  city  and  district 
in  the  southwest  of  Sicily.  The  hills  in  this  region  were  and  are 
covered  with  dwarf-palms,  whence  the  title  of  "  palmy  "  bestowed 
m  it  by  Virgil.  Spenser  has  changed  the  palms  to  almond  trees. 
This  simile  is  copied  by  JIarlowe,  Second  Part  of  Tamburlainc, 
Act IV.  Scenes    C. 


156  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

33  His  warlike  shield  all  closely  cover'd  was, 
Ne  might  of  mortall  eye  be  ever  seene ; 
Not  made  of  Steele,  nor  of  enduring  bras, 
(Such  earthly  mettals  soone  consumed  beene,) 
But  all  of  diamond  perfect  pure  and  cleene 
It  framed  was,  one  massy  entire  mould, 
Hewen  out  of  adamant  rocke  with  engines  keene, 
That  point  of  speare  it  never  percen  could, 

Ne   dint   of    direfull   swoid     divide    the   substance 
would. 

S4  The  same  to  wight  he  never  wont  disclose, 
But^  whenas  monsters  huge  he  would  dismay. 
Or  daunt  unequall  armies  of  his  foes, 
Or  when  the  flying  heavens  he  would  affray: 
For  so  exceeding  shone  his  glistring  ray. 
That  Phoebus  golden  face  it  did  attaint,* 
As  when  a  cloud  his  beames  doth  over-lay  ; 
And  silver  Cynthia  wexed  pale  and  faynt, 

As  when   her  face  is  staynd  with  magicke  arts  con- 
straint. 

35  No  magicke  arts  hereof  had  any  might. 
Nor  bloody  wordes  of  bold  enchaunters  call ; 
But  all  that  was  not  such  as  seemd  in  sight 
Before  that  shield  did  fade,  and  suddeine  fall : 
And,  when  him  list  the  raskall  routes'  appall. 
Men  into  stones  therewith  he  could  transmew,^ 
And  stones  to  dust,  and  dust  to  nought  at  all ; 

1  But,  except.  8  Raskall  routes,  tlie  low  riibble. 

•  Attaint,  oljscure.  ■*  Transmeio,  transform. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VII.  IT)? 

And  when  him  list  the  prouder  lookes  subdew, 
He  would  them  gazing  blind,  or  turne  to  other  how. 

36  Ne  let  it  seeme  that  credence  this  exceedes ; 

For  he  that  made  the  same,  was  knowne  right  well 
To  have  done  much  more  admirable  deedes  : 
It  Merlin  was,  which  whylome  did  excell 
All  living  wightes  in  might  of  magicke  spell : 
Both  shield,  and  sword,  and  armour  all  he  wrought 
For  this  young  Prince,  when  first  to  armes  he  fell ; 
But,  when  he  dyde,  the  Faery  Queene  it  brought 
To  Faerie  lond  ;  where  yet  it  may  be  scene,  if  sought. 

37  A  gentle  youth,  his  dearely  loved  Squire, 
His  speare  of  heben  ^  wood  behind  him  bare, 
Whose  harmeful  head,  thrise  heated,  in  the  fire, 
Had  riven  many  a  brest  with  [)ikehead  square ; 
A  goodly  person  ;  and  could  menage  faire 
His  stubborne  steed  with  curbed  canon  bitt,"-^ 
Who  under  him  did  amble  *  as  the  aire. 

And  chauft,^   that  any  on  his  backe  should  sitt ; 
The  yron  rowels^  into  frothy  fome  he  bitt. 

38  Whenas  this  Knight  nigh  to  the  Lady  drew, 
With  lovely  court  he  gan  her  cntertaine ; 

But,  when  he  heard  her  aunswers  loth,  he  knew 
Some  secret  sorrow  did  her  heart  distraine  : 

1  Heben,  ebony. 

2  Cnnon  bitt,  a  smooth  round  bit. 
«  Cliauft,  chafed. 

4  Rowels,  the  rolling  part  of  the  canon-bit. 


*  2d  ed.  trample. 

VOL.   I.  16 


158  THE    FAERIE    QDEENB. 

Which  to  allay,  and  calme  her  storming  paine, 
Faire  feehng  words  he  wisely  gan  display, 
And,  for  her  humor  fitting  purpose  ^  faine, 
To  tempt  the  cause  it  selfe  for  to  bewray ; 
Wherewith  enmovd,  these  bleeding  words  she  gan  to 
say: 

89  "  What  worlds  delight,  or  ioy  of  living  speach, 
Can  hart,  so  plungd  in  sea  of  sorrowes  deep, 
And  heaped  with  so  huge  misfortunes,  reach? 
The  carefulP  cold  beginneth  for  to  creep, 
And  in  my  heart  his  yron  arrow  steep, 
Soone  as  I  thinke  upon  my  bitter  bale,' 
Such  helplesse  harmes  yts*  better  hidden  keep, 
Then  rip  up  griefe,  where  it  may  not  availe ; 

My  last  left  comfort  is  my  woes  to  weepe  and  waile.'' 

40  "Ah  Lady  deare,"  quoth  then  the  gentle  Knight, 
"  Well  may  I  ween  your  grief  is  wondrous  great ; 
For  wondrous  great  griefe  groneth  in  my  spright, 
Whiles  thus  I  heare  you  of  your  sorrowes  treat. 
But,  woefuU  Lady,  let  me  you  intrete 
For  to  unfold  the  anguish  of  your  hart: 
Mishaps  are  maistred  by  advice  discrete, 
And  counsell  mitigates  the  greatest  smart ; 

Found  never  help,  who  never  would  his  hurts  impart." 

1 1  "O,  but,"  quoth  she,  "great  griefe  will  not  be  tould, 
And  can  more  easily  be  thought  then  said." 

1  Purpose,  discourse  ^  Bale,  sorrow. 

2  Carefull,  painfull.  ■*  Yts,  it  is. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VII.  159 

■'  Right  so,"  quoth  he  ;  "  but  he,  that  never  would, 
Coukl  never :  will  to  might  gives  greatest  aid." 
"  But  griefe,"  quoth  she,  "  does  greater  grow  dis- 

plaid, 
If  then  it  find  not  helpe,  and  breeds  despaire." 
"  Despaire  breeds  not,"  quoth  he,  "  where  faith  is 

staid." 
"  No  faith  so  fast,"  quoth  she, "  but  flesh  does  paire."  ^ 
•'  Flesh  may  empaire,"   quoth  he,  "  but  reason  can 
repaire." 

ii  His  goodly  reason,  and  well-guided  speach. 
So  deepe  did  settle  in  her  gracious  thought, 
That  her  perswaded  to  disclose  the  breach 
Which  love  and  fortune  in  her  heart  had  wrought : 
And    said :    "  Faire    Sir,  I   hope   good  hap  hath 

brought 
You  to  inquere  the  secrets  of  my  griefe ; 
Or  that  your  wisdome  will  direct  my  thought ; 
Or  that  your  prowesse  can  me  yield  reliefe  ; 

Then  heare  the  story   sad,   which  I   shall  tell  you 
briefe. 

43  "  The  forlorne  maiden,  whom  your  eies  have  scene 
The  laughing  stocke  of  Fortunes  mockeries, 
Am  th'  onely  daughter  of  a  king  and  queene. 
Whose  parents  deare  (whiles  equal  destinies 
Did  ronne  about,  and  their  felicities 
The  favourable  heavens  did  not  envy) 
Did  spred  their  rule  through  all  the  territories, 

1  Paire,  impair. 


160  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Which  Phison  and  Euphrates  floweth  by, 
And  Gehons  golden  waves  doe  wash  continually : 

44  "  Till  that  their  cruell  cursed  enemy, 
An  huge  great  dragon,  horrible  in  sight, 
Bred  in  the  loathly  lakes  of  Tartary,^ 
With  murdrous  ravine,  and  devouring  might, 
Their    kingdome     spoild,    and    countrey    wasted 

quight : 
Themselves,  for  feare  into  his  iawes  to  fall, 
He  forst  to  castle  strong  to  take  their  flight ; 
Where,  fast  embard  ^  in  mighty  brasen  wall, 
He  has  them  now  fowr  years  besiegd  to  make  them 
thrall. 

45  "  Full  many  knights,  adventurous  and  stout, 
Have  enterprizd  that  monster  to  subdew  : 
From  every  coast,  that  heaven  walks  '  about, 
Have  thither  come  the  noble  martial  crew. 
That  famous  harde  atchievements  still  pursew ; 
Yet  never  any  could  that  girlond  win, 

But  all  still  shronke  ;  and  still  he  greater  grew : 
All  they  for  want  of  faith,  or  guilt  of  sin. 
The  pitteous  pray  of  his  fiers  cruelty  have  bin. 

1  I.  e.  Tartarus. 

2  Kmbard,  imprisoned. 

*  Walksy  revolves  (hence  welkin). 


XLIII.  8. —  Which  Phison,  &c.]  Pison,  Gihon,  and  Euphi"ates 
lire  the  names  of  three  of  the  four  rivers  of  Paradise,  mentioned  in 
tlie  socoud  chapter  of  the  Book  of  Genesis.    H. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    VII.  101 

46  "  At  last,  yled  with  far  reported  pi-aise, 

Which  flying  fame  throughout  the  world  had  spred 
Of  doughty  knights,  whom  Fary  land  did  raise. 
That  noble  order  hight  of  Maidenhed, 
Forthwith  to  court  of  Gloriane  I  sped, 
Of  Gloriane,  great  queene  of  glory  bright, 
"Whose  kingdomes  seat  Cleopolis  is  red  ^ ; 
There  to  obtaine  some  such  redoubted  knight. 
That  parents  deare  from  tyrants  powre  deliver  might. 

47  "  Yt  was  my  chaunce  (my  chaunce  was  faire  and 

good) 
There  for  to  find  a  fresh  unproved'^  knight ; 
Whose  manly  hands  imbrewd  in  guilty  blood 
Had  never  beene,  ne  ever  by  his  might 
Had  throwne  to  ground  the  unregarded  right : 
Yet  of  his  prowesse  proofe  he  since  hath  made 
(I  witnes  am)  in  many  a  cruell  light ; 
The  groning  ghosts  of  many  one  dismaide 
Have  felt  the  bitter  dint  ^  of  his  avenging  blade. 

48  "  And  ye,  the  forlorne  reliques  of  his  powre. 
His  biting  sword,  and  his  devouring  speare, 
Which  have  endured  many  a  dreadful!  stowre,* 

'■  Red,  called.  8  Dint,  stroke. 

2  Unproved,  untried.  *  Stowe,  conflict. 

XLVI.  7. —  Cleopolis.]  "  Cleopolis,  in  the  moral  allegoiy,  is  the 
city  of  Glory;  in  the  historical,  the  city  of  Queen  Elizabeth."  — 
Uin-ON. 

XLVIII.  1.  —  And  ye,  Sec]  The  arms  of  the  knight  were  in 
■he  keeping  of  the  dwarf,  and  Una  turns  and  addresses  herself  to 
them.    H. 


162  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Can    speake    his    provvesse,    that    did    earst   you 

beare, 
And  well  could  rule ;  now  he  hath  left  you  heare 
To  be  the  record  of  his  ruefull  losse, 
And  of  my  doleful!  disaventurous  *  dears'^: 
O  heavie  record  of  the  good  Redcrosse, 
Whei-e  have   yee  left  your  lord,  that  could  so  well 
you  tosse  ? 

49  "  Well  hoped  I,  and  faire  beginnings  had, 
That  he  my  captive  languor  should  redeeme : 
Till  all  unweeting  an  Enchaunter  bad 

His  sence  abusd,  and  made  him  to  misdeeme 

My  loyalty,  not  such  as  it  did  seeme. 

That  rather  death  desire  then  such  despight. 

Be  iudge,  ye  heavens,  that  all  things  right  esteemo, 

How  I  him  lov'd,  and  love  with  all  my  might! 

50  thought  I  eke  of  him,  and  think  I  thought  aright. 

♦  V  "  Thenceforth  me  desolate  he  quite  forsooke. 
To  wander,  where  wilde  fortune  would  me  lead, 
And  other  bywaies  he  himselfe  betooke. 
Where  never  foote  of  living  wight  did  tread, 
That  brought  not  backe  the  balefuU  body  dead  ; 
In  which  him  chaunced  false  Duessa  meete. 
Mine  onely  foe,^  mine  onely  deadly  dread  ; 
Who  with  her  witchcraft,  and  misseeming*  sweete, 

Enveigled  him  to  follow  her  desires  unmeete. 

1  Disaventurous,  unfortunate. 

2  Deare,  lover. 

3  Mne  onely  /oe,  my  greatest  foe. 
*  Misseeming,  deceptive. 


KOOK    1.       CANTO    VII.  1G3 

51  "At  last,  by  subtile  sleights  she  him  betraid 
Unto  his  foe,  a  gyaunt  huge  and  tall ; 
Who  him  disarmed,  dissolute,*  dismaid, 
Unwares  surprised,  and  with  mighty  malP 
The  monster  mercilesse  him  made  to  fall, 
Whose  fall  did  nc^er  foe  before  behold: 
And  now  in  darkesome  dungeon,  wretched  thrall, 
Remedilesse,  for  aie  he  doth  him  hold : 

This  is  my  cause  of  griefe,  more  great  then  may  be 
told." 

62  Ere  she  had  ended  all,  she  gan  to  faint: 
But  he  her  comforted,  and  faire  bespake: 
"  Certes,  Madame,  ye  have  great  cause  of  plaint, 
That  stoutest  heart,  I  weene,  could  cause  to  quake. 
But  be  of  cheare,  and  comfort  to  you  take  ; 
For,  till  I  have  acquitt  ^  your  captive  knight, 
Assure  your  selfe,  I  will  you  not  forsake." 
His    chearefuU     words    reviv'd    her   chearelesse 
spright : 

So  forth  they  went,  the  Dwarfe  them  guiding  ever 
right. 

i  Dissolute,  enervated,  relaxed.  8  Acquitt,  released. 

'^Mall,  blow. 


lOi  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 


CANTO   VIII. 


Faire  Virgin,  to  redeeme  her  Deare, 

Brings  Artluire  to  the  fight : 
Who  slayes  the  Gyaunt,  wounds  the  Beast, 

And  strips  Duessa  quight. 


1  At  me,  how  many  perils  doe  enfold 
The  righteous  man,  to  make  him  daily  fall, 
Were  not  that  heavenly  grace  doth  him  uphold, 
And  stedfast  Truth  acquite  him  out  of  all! 
Her  love  is  firme,  her  care  continuall, 
So  oft  as  he,  through  his  own  foolish  pride 
Or  weaknes,  is  to  sinfuU  bands  made  thrall : 
Els  should  this  Redcrosse  Knight  in  bands  have 

dyde, 
For  whose  deliverance  she  this  Prince  doth  thether 

guyd. 

i  They  sadly  traveild  thus,  untill  they  came 
Nigh  to  a  castle  builded  strong  and  bye : 
Then  cryde  the  Dwarfe,  "  Lo  !  yonder  is  the  same, 
In  which  my  lord,  my  liege,  doth  lucklesse  ly, 
Thrall  to  that  Gyaunts  hatefull  tyranny  : 
Therefore,  deare  Sir,  your  mightie  powres  assay." 
The  noble  Knight  alighted  by  and  by* 

'   3y  and  by,  at  once. 


BOOIi    I.       CANTO    VIII.  16t> 

From  loftie  steed,  and  badd  the  Ladie  stay, 
To  see  what  end  of  tight  should  him  befall  that  day. 

3  So  with  his  Squire,  th'  admirer  of  his  might, 
He  marched  forth  towardes  that  castle  wall ; 
Whose  gates  he  fownd  fast  shutt,  ne  living  wight 
To  warde  the  same,  nor  answere  commers  call. 
Then  tooke  that  Squire  an  home  of  bugle*  small,. 
"Which  hong  adowne  his  side  in  twisted  gold 
And  tasselles  gay  ;  wyde  wonders  over  all 

Of  that  same  homes  great  vertues  weren  told, 
Which  had  approved  bene  in  uses  manifold. 

4  Was  never  wight  that  heard  that  shrilling  sownd,. 
But  trembling  feare  did  feel  in  every  vaine : 
Three  miles  it  might  be  easy  heard  arownd. 
And  ecchoes  three  aunswerd  it  selfe  againe  : 

No  false  enchauntraent,  nor  deceiptfull  traine, 
Might  once  abide  the  terror  of  that  blast. 
But  presently  was  void  and  wholly  vaine  : 
No  gate  so  strong,  no  locke  so  firme  and  fast. 
But  with  that  percing  noise  flew  open  quite,  or  brast.'^ 

5  The  same  before  the  Geaunts  gate  he  blew, 
That  all  the  castle  quaked  from  the  grownd, 
And  every  dore  of  free-will  open  flew. 
The  Gyaunt  selfe  dismaied  with  that  sownd, 
Where  he  with  his  Duessa  dalliaunce  fownd. 
In  hast  came  rushing  forth  from  inner  bowre,' 

1  Bugle  is  the  wld  ox,  wva.  «  Bowre,  chamber. 

2  Brast,  burst. 


166  TnE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

With  staring  countenance  sterne,  as  one  astownd, 
And  staggering  steps,  to  weet  what  suddein  stowre  ^ 
Had   wrought   that    horror   strange,    and   dar'd   his 
dreaded  powre. 

6  And  after  him  the  proud  Duessa  came, 
High  mounted  on  her  many- headed  beast ; 
And  every  head  with  fyrie  tongue  did  fiame, 
And  every  head  was  crowned  on  his  creast,^ 
And  bloody  moutlied  with  late  cruell  feast. 
That  when  the  Knight  beheld,  his  mightie  shild 
Upon  his  manly  arme  he  soone  addrest. 

And  at  him  fiersly  flew,  with  corage  fild, 
And  eger  greedinesse  through  every  member  thrild. 

7  Therewith  the  Gyant  buckled  him  to  fight, 
Inflamd  with  scornefuU  wrath  and  high  disdains, 
And  lifting  up  his  dreadfull  club  on  hight, 

All  armd  with  ragged  snubbes  ^  and  knottie  graine, 
Him  thought  at  first  encounter  to  have  slaine. 
But  wise  and  wary  was  that  noble  Pere  ; 
And,  lightly  leaping  from  so  monstrous  raaine,'* 
Did  fayre  avoide  the  violence  him  nere ; 
It  booted  nought  to  thinke  such  thunderbolts  to  beare  ; 


■"»' 


B  Ne  shame  he  thought  to  shonne  so  hideous  might : 
The  ydle  stroke,  enforcing  furious  way, 
Missing  the  marke  of  his  misaymed  sight. 
Did  fall  to  ground,  and  with  his  heavy  sway- 
So  deepely  dinted  in  the  driven  clay, 

1  Stoorr,  disturbance.  *  Snubbes,  knobs. 

2  Creast  crest.  '»  J/"/'ic,  force. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    VIII.  167 

That  three  yardes  deepe  a  furrow  up  did  throw : 
The  sad  earth,  wounded  with  so  sore  assay,^ 
Did  grone  full  grievous  underneath  the  blow ; 
A.nd,  trembling  with  strange  feare,  did  like  an  erth- 
quake  show. 

9  As  when  almightie  love,  in  wrathful]  mood, 
To  wreake  the  guilt  of  mortall  sins  is  bent, 
Hurles  forth  his  thundring  dart  with  deadly  food," 
Enrold  in  tlames,  and  smouldring  dreriment,^ 
Through  riven  cloudes  and  molten  firmament ; 
The  fiers  threeforked  engin,  making  way, 

Both  loftie  towres  and  highest  trees  hath  rent, 
And  all  that  might  his  angry  passage  stay, 
A.nd,  shooting  in  the  earth,  castes  up  a  mount  of  clay. 

10  His  boystrous  club,  so  buried  in  the  grownd, 
He  could  not  rearen  up  againe  so  light, 

But  that  the  Knight  him  at  advantage  fownd ; 
And,  whiles  he  strove  his  combred  clubbe  to  quight^ 
Out  of  the  earth,  with  blade  all  burning  bright 
He  smott  of  his  left  arme,  which  like  a  block 
Did  fall  to  ground,  depriv'd  of  native  might ; 
Large  streames  of  blood  out  of  the  truncked  stock 
Forth  gushed,  like  fresh-water  streame  from  riven 
rocke. 

11  Dismayed  with  so  desperate  deadly  wound, 
And  eke  impatient  of  unwonted  payne. 

He  lowdly  brayd  with  beastly  yelling  sownd, 

1  Asmy,  attack.  »  Dreriment,  gloora. 

2Fooci,anger.  4  (i„»yy/,<,  disengage. 


168  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  all  the  fieldes  rebellowed  againe : 
As  great  a  noyse,  as  when  in  Cynibrian  pkine 
An  heard  of  bulles,  whom  kindly  ^  rage  doth  sting, 
Doe  for  the  milky  mothers  want  coraplaine, 
And  fill  the  fieldes  with  troublous  bellowing : 
The  neighbor  woods   arownd   with  hollow    murmur 
ring. 

12  That  when  his  deare  Duessa  heard,  and  saw 
The  evill  stownd^  that  daungerd  her  estate, 
Unto  his  aide  she  hastily  did  draw 

Her  dreadfull  beast;    who,  swolne  with  blood  of 

late, 
Came  ramping  forth  with  proud  presumpteous  gate, 
And  threatned  all  his  heades  like  flaming  brandes. 
But  him  the  Squire  made  quickly  to  retrate, 
Encountring  fiers  with  single  sword  in  hand  ; 
And  twixt  him  and  his  lord  did  like  a  bulwarke  stand. 

13  The  proud  Duessa,  full  of  wrathfuU  spight 
And  fiers  disdaine,  to  be  affronted  ^  so, 
Enforst  her  purple  beast  with  all  her  might, 
That  stop  out  of  the  way  to  overthroe. 
Scorning  the  let*  of  so  unequall  foe  : 

But  nathemore^  would  that  corageous  swayne^ 
To  her  yeeld  passage,  gainst  his  lord  to  goe  ; 
But  with  outrageous  strokes  did  him  restraine, 
And  with  his  body  bard  the  way  atwixt  them  twaine 


1  Kindly,  natural.  ^  Let,  liinderance. 

2  Stownd,  moment,  exigency.  ^  Nalhemore,  not  tlie  more. 
'  Affronted,  confronted.  8  Swayne,  youth. 


BOOK   1.      CANTO    VIII.  169 

M  Then  tooke  the  angrie  Witch  her  golden  cup, 
Which  still  she  bore,  replete  with  magick  artes ; 
Death  and  de&pejre  did  many  thereof  sup, 
And  secret  poyson  through  their  inner  partes ; 
Th'  eternall  bale  of  heavie  wounded  harts  : 
Which,  after  charmes  and  some  enchauntments  said, 
She  lightly  sprinkled  on  his  weaker  partes : 
Therewith  his  sturdie  corage  soon  was  quayd,* 

And  all  his  sences  were  with  suddein  dread  dismayd. 

15  So  downe  he  fell  before  the  cruell  beast. 
Who  on  his  neck  his  bloody  clawes  did  seize,' 
That  life  nigh  crusht  out  of  his  panting  brest : 
No  powre  he  had  to  stirre,  nor  will  to  rize. 
That  when  the  carefull  Knight  gan  well  avise,* 
He  lightly  left  the  foe  with  whom  he  fought. 
And  to  the  Beast  gan  turne  his  enterprise ; 
For  wondrous  anguish  in  his  hart  it  wrought. 

To  see  his  loved  Squyre  into  such  thraldom  brought ; 

16  And,  high  advauncing  his  blood-thirstie  blade, 
Stroke  one  of  those  deformed  heades  so  sore. 
That  of  his  puissaunce  proud  ensample  made ; 
His  monstrous  scalpe  downe  to  his  teeth  it  tore, 
And  that  misformed  shape  misshaped  more : 

A  sea  of  blood  gusht  from  the  gaping  wownd, 

1  Qmyd,  quailed,  quelled.  »  Avise,  perceive. 

2  Seize,  fasten. 


XIV.  l.  —  ITer  golden  cup.]  "Having  a  golden  cup  in  her 
hand,  full  of  abominations."  —  Rev.  xvii.  4.    H. 

XYI.  2.  -  Stroke  one,  &c.]  "  And  I  saw  one  of  his  heads,  as 
t  were,  wounded  to  death."  —  Kev.  xiii.  3.    II. 


170  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

That  her  gay  garments  staynd  with  filthy  gore, 
And  overflowed  all  the  field  arownd ; 
That  over  shoes  in  blood  he  waded  on  the  grownd. 

17  Thereat  he  rored  for  exceeding  paine, 

That,  to  have  heard,  great  horror  would  have  bred  ; 
And  scourging  th'  eniptie  ayre  with  his  long  trayne, 
Through  great  impatience  of  his  grieved  bed, 
His  gorgeous  ryder  from  her  loftie  sted^ 
Would  have  cast  downe,  and  trodd  in  durty  myre, 
Had  not  the  Gyaunt  soone  her  succoured  ; 
Who,  all  enrag'd  with  smart  and  frantick  yre, 
Came  hurtling^  in  full  fiers,andforst  the  Knight rety re. 

18  The  foi'ce,  which  wont  in  two  to  be  disperst, 
In  one  alone  left^  hand  he  now  unites, 

Which  is  through  rage  more  sti'ong  then  both  were 

erst; 
With  which  his  hideous  club  aloft  he  dites,* 
And  at  his  foe  with  furious  rigor  smites, 
That  strongest  oake  might  seeme  to  overthrow ; 
The  stroke  upon  his  shield  so  heavie  lites. 
That  to  the  ground  it  doubleth  him  full  low :  — 
What  mortall  wight  could  ever  beare  so  monstrous 
blow  ? 

9  And  in  his  fall  his  shield,  that  covered  was, 
Did  loose  his  vele  by  chaunce,  and  open  flew ; 
The  light  whereof,  that  hevens  light  did  pas. 


1  Ste(?,  place.  8 /.e/J,  remaining. 

2  Hurtling,  inishing  in.  *  D'Ues,  raises. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VIII.  171 

Such  blazing  brightnesse  through  the  ayer  threw, 
That  eye  mote  not  the  same  endure  to  vew. 
Which  when  the  Gyaunt  spyde  with  staring  eye, 
He  downe  let  fall  his  arme,  and  soft  withdrew 
His  weapon  huge,  that  heaved  was  on  hye 
For  to  have  slain  the  Man,  that  on  the  ground  did  lye. 

20  And  eke  the  fruitfull-headed  Beast,  amazd 
At  flashing  beames  of  that  sunshiny  shield. 
Became  stark  blind,  and  all  his  sences  dazd,^ 
That  downe  he  tumbled  on  the  durtie  field, 
And  seemd  himselfe  as  conquered  to  yield. 
Whom  when  his  maistresse  pi'oud  perceiv'd  to  fall, 
Whiles  yet  his  feeble  feet  for  faintnesse  reeld, 
Unto  the  Gyaunt  lewdly  she  gan  call ; 

«  O  !  helpe,  Orgoglio ;  helpe,  or  els  we  perish  all," 

21  At  her  so  pitteous  ci-y  was  much  amoov'd 

Her  champion  stout ;  and,  for  to  ayde  his  frend, 
Againe  his  wonted  angry  weapon  proov'd,^ 
But  all  in  vaine ;  for  he  has  redd  his  end 
In  that  briglit  shield,  and  all  their  forces  spend 
Themselves  in  vaine  :  for,  since  that  glauncing sight, 
He  hath  no  poure  to  hurt,  nor  to  defend. 
As  where  th'  Almighties  Hghtning  brond  does  light, 
It  dimmes  the  dazed  ^  eyen,  and  daunts  the  sences 
quight. 

52  Whom  when  the  Prince,  to  batteill  new  addrest 
And  threatning  high  his  dreadful!  stroke,  did  see, 

1  Bazd,  dazzled.  ^  Proov'd,  tried. 


172  TUE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

His  sparkling  blade  about  his  head  he  blest/ 
And  smote  off  quite  his  right  leg  by  the  knee, 
That  downe  he  tombled  ;  as  an  aged  tree, 
High  growing  on  the  top  of  rocky  clift, 
Wliose  hart-strino-s  with  keene  Steele  niojh  hewen 

be ; 
The  mightie  trunck  halfe  rent  with  ragged  rift 
Doth   roll  adowne   the  rocks,  and  fall  with    fearefull 

drift. 

as  Or  as  a  castle,  reared  high  and  round, 
By  subtile  engins  and  malitious  slight 
Is  undermined  from  the  lowest  ground, 
And  her  foundation  forst,  and  feebled  quight. 
At  last  downe  faUes  ;  and  with  her  heaped  hight 
Her  hastie  ruine  does  more  lieavie  make. 
And  yields  it  selfe  unto  the  victours  might : 
Such  was  this  Gyaunts  fall,  that  seemd  to  shake 

The  stedfast  globe    of  earth,  as^  it  for  feai-e    did 
quake. 

24  The  Knight  then,  lightly  leaping  to  the  pray, 
With  mortall  Steele  him  smot  againe  so  sore 
That  headlesse  his  unweldy  bodie  lay. 
All  wallowd  in  his  owne  fowle  bloody  gore, 
Which  flowed  from  his  wounds  in  wondrous  store. 
But,  soone  as  breath  out  of  his  brest  did  pas, 
That  huge  great  body,  wliich  the  Gyauiit  bore. 
Was  vanislit  quite  ;  and  of  that  monstrous  ma.s 

NV'as  nothing  left,  but  like  an  emptie  biader  was. 

1  Blest,  brandislied.  2  ^^^  as  if. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    Vlll,  lY.*^ 

25  Whose  grievous  fall  when  false  Duessa  spyde. 
Pier  golden  cup  she  cast  unto  the  ground, 
And  crowned  mitre  rudely  threw  asyde ; 

Such  percing  griefe  her  stubborne  hart  did  wound, 
That  she  could  not  endure  that  dolefull  stound* ; 
But,  leaving  all  behind  her,  fled  away : 
The  light-foot  Squyre  her  quickly  turnd  around, 
And,  by  hard  nieanes  enforcing  her  to  stay, 
So  brought  unto  his  lord,  as  his  deserved  pray. 

26  The  roiall  Virgin,  which  beheld  from  farre, 
In  pensive  plight  and  sad  perplexitie, 

The  whole  atchievement  of  this  doubtfuU  warre, 
Came  running  fast  to  greet  his  victorie, 
With  sober  gladnesse  and  myld  modestie  ; 
And,  with  sweet  ioyous  cheare,  him  thus  bespake  : 
"  Fayre  braunch  of  noblesse,  flowre  of  clievulrie, 
That  with  your  worth  the  world  amazed  make, 
How  shall    I   quite  the  paynes,  ye  suffer    lor  my 
sake  ? 

87  "  And  you,^  fresh  budd  of  vertue  springing  fast, 
Whom  these  sad  eyes  saw  nigh  unto  deaths  dore, 
What  hath  poor  Virgin  for  such  perill  past 
Wherewith  you  to  reward  ?     Accept  thei-efore 
My  simple  selfe,  and  service  evermore. 
And  He  that  high  does  sit,  and  all  things  see 
With  equall  eye,  their  merites  to  restore. 
Behold  what  ye  this  day  have  done  for  mee  ; 

And,  what  I  cannot  quite,  requite  with  usuree! 

1  Stoimd,  moment.  2  I.  e.  the  Squire. 

VOL    I.  17 


174  THK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

28  "  But  sith^  the  heavens,  and  your  faire  handeling,^ 
Have  made  you  master  of  the  field  this  day, 
Your  fortune  maister  eke  with  governing, 

And,  well  begonne  end  all  so  well,  I  pray ! 
Ne  let  that  wicked  woman  scape  away ; 
For  she  it  is,  that  did  my  lord  bethrall, 
My  dearest  lord,  and  deepe  in  dongeon  lay  ; 
"Where  he  his  better  dayes  hath  wasted  all : 
0  heare,  how  piteous  he  to  you  for  ayd  does  call ! " 

29  Forthwith  he  gave  in  charge  unto  his  Squyre, 
That  scarlot  whore  to  keepen  carefully ; 
Whyles  he  himselfe  with  greedie  great  desyre 
Into  the  castle  entred  forcibly. 

Where  living  creature  none  he  did  espye : 
Then  gan  he  lowdly  through  the  house  to  call ; 
But  no  man  car'd  to  answere  to  his  crye : 
There  raignd  a  solemne  silence  over  all ; 
Nor  voice  was  heard,  nor  wight  was  seene  in  bowre 
or  hall ! 

30  At  last,  with  creeping  crooked  pace  forth  came 
An  old  old  man,  with  beard  as  white  as  snow; 
That  on  a  staife  his  feeble  steps  did  frame, 
And  guyde  his  wearie  gate  both  too  and  fro; 
For  his  eye-sight  him  fay  led  long  ygo  : 

And  on  his  arme  a  bounch  of  keyes  he  bore, 

1  Sith,  since.  2  Handeling,  conduct. 


XX VIII.  3. —  Your  fortune,  &c.l     Secure  your  good  fortune 
by  prudent  management. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VIII.  175 

The  which  unused^  rust  did  overcrow  : 
Those  were  the  keyes  of  every  inner  dore ; 
But  he  could  not  them  use,  but  kept  tliem  still  in  store. 

31  But  very  uncouth  sight  was  to  behold, 
How  he  did  fashion  his  untoward  pace ; 
For  as  he  forward  moovd  his  footing  old. 

So  backward  still  was  turnd  his  wrincled  face : 
Unhke  to  men,  who  ever,  as  they  trace. 
Both  feet  and  face  one  way  are  wont  to  lead. 
This  was  the  auncient  keeper  of  that  place, 
And  foster  father  of  the  Gyaunt  dead  ; 
His  name  Ignaro  did  his  nature  right  aread.^ 

32  His  reverend  heares  and  holy  gravitee 

The  Knight  much  honord,  as  beseemed  well ; 
And  gently  askt,  where  all  the  people  bee, 
Which  in  that  stately  building  wont  to  dwell : 
Who  answerd  him  full  soft.  He  could  not  tell. 
Againe  he  askt,  where  that  same  knight  was  layd, 
Whom  great  Orgoglio  with  his  puissaunce  fell 
Had  made  his  caytive  thrall :  Againe  he  sayde, 
He  could  not  tell;  ne  ever  other  answere  made. 

33  Then  asked  he,  which  way  he  in  might  pas : 
He  could  not  tell,  againe  he  answered. 
Thereat  the  courteous  Knight  displeased  was, 

1  Unused,  rust  from  being  unused.  2  Aread,  explain. 


XXXI.  9.--nisname  Ignaro.]  That  is,  Ignorance,  a  proper 
doorkeeper  in  the  stronghold  of  a. false  religion  and  a  corrupt 
lUerarchy.   H. 


176  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  said :  "  Old  syre,  it  seemes  thou  hast  not  red 
How  ill  it  sits  with  that  same  silver  hed, 
In  vaine  to  mocke,  or  mockt  in  vaine  to  bee : 
But  if  thou  be,  as  thou  art  pourtrahed 
"With  natures  pen,  in  ages  grave  degree, 
Aread*  in  graver  wise  what  I  demaund  of  thee." 

a  His  answere  likewise  was,  He  could  not  tell. 
Whose  sencelesse  speach,  and  doted  ignorance, 
Whenas  the  noble  Prince  had  marked  well, 
He  ghest  his  nature  by  his  countenance  ; 
And  calmd  his  wrath  with  goodly  temperance. 
Then,  to  him  stepping,  from  his  arme  did  reach 
Those  keyes,  and  made  himselfe  free  enterance. 
Each  dore  he  opened  without  any  breach : 

There  was  no  barre  to  stop,  nor  foe  him  to  empeach.'^ 

35  There  all  within  full  rich  arayd  he  found. 
With  royall  arras,  and  resplendent  gold, 
And  did  with  store  of  every  thing  abound. 
That  greatest  princes  presence  might  behold. 
But  all  the  floore  (too  filthy  to  be  told) 
With  blood  of  guiltlesse  babes,  and  innocents  trew. 
Which  there  were  slaine,  as  sheepe  out  of  the  fold, 
Defiled  was,  that  dreadful!  was  to  vew ; 

And  sacred  ^  ashes  over  it  was  strowed  new. 

1  Arend,  declare.  8  Sacred,  (perhaps)  cureed. 

2  Emjjeaik,  hinder. 

XXXV  6.  With  hh^d,  &c.]  Spenser  lias  been  supposed  by 
some  to  allude  here  to  the  persecutions  of  the  Protestants  undet 
Queen  Mary.    II. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VIII.  177 

36  And  there  beside  of  marble  stone  was  built 
An  altare,  carv'd  with  cunning  yniag(M-y ; 

On  which  trew  Christians  blood  was  often  spilt, 
And  holy  martyres  often  doen  to  dye,^ 
With  cruell  malice  and  strong  tyranny : 
Whose  blessed  sprites,  from  underneath  the  stone, 
To  God  for  vengeance  cryde  continually ; 
And  with  great  griefe  were  often  heard  to  grone ; 
That  hardest  heart  would  bleede  to  heare  their  pite- 
ous mone. 

37  Through  every  rowme  he  sought,  and  everie  bowr; 
But  no  where  could  he  find  that  wofull  thrall. 

At  last  he  came  unto  an  yron  doore, 
That  fast  was  lockt ;  but  key  found  not  at  all 
Emongst  that  bounch  to  open  it  withall ; 
But  in  the  same  a  little  grate  was  pight,*^ 
Through  which  he  sent  his  voyce,  and  lowd  did  call 
With  all  his  powre,  to  weet  ^  if  living  wight 
Were  housed  therewithin  whom  he  enlargen  might. 

38  Therewith  an  hollow,  dreary,  murmuring  voyce 
These  pitteous  plaintes  and  dolours  did  resound : 
"  O,  who  is  that,  which  bringes  me  happy  choyce 
Of  death,  that  here  lye  dying  every  stound,'' 
Yet  live  perforce  in  balefuU  darkenesse  bound  ? 

1  Doen  to  dye,  done,  or  put,  to  death.  »  Weet,  know. 

2  Pight,  placed.  *  Stound,  moment 


XXXVI.  2.  —  An  altare,  &c.]      "  1  saw  under  tlie  altar  the 
souls  of  them  that  were  slam  for  the  word  of  God."  —  Rev.  vi.  9. 

XXXVII.  2.  —  That  wofull  thrall.]     The  Red-cro«  Knight. 

H. 


178  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

For  now  three  moones  have  changed  thrice  their 

hew, 
And  have  beene  thrice  hid  underneath  the  ground, 
Since  I  the  heavens  chearefuU  face  did  vew : 
0,  welcome,  thou,  that  doest  of  death  bring  tydings 
trew ! " 

39  Which  when  that  Champion  heard,  with  percuig 

point 
Of  pittj  deare  his  hart  was  thrilled  sore  ; 
And  trembling  horrour  ran  through  every  ioynt, 
For  ruth  of  gentle  knijrht  so  fowle  forloi'e  ^ : 
"Which  shaking  off,  he  rent  that  yron  dore 
With  furious  force  and  indignation  fell ; 
Where  entred  in,  his  foot  could  find  no  flore, 
But  all  a  deepe  descent,  as  darke  as  hell. 
That  breathed  ever  forth  a  filthie  banefuU  smell. 

40  But  nether  darkenesse  fowle,  nor  filthy  bands, 
Nor  noyous  smell,  his  purpose  could  withhold, 
(Entire  affection  hateth  nicer  hands,) 

But  that  with  constant  zele  and  corage  bold, 
After  long  paines  and  labors  manifold, 
He  found  the  meanes  that  prisoner  np  to  reare ; 
Whose  feeble  thighes,  unhable  to  uphold 
His  pined  corse,  him  scarse  to  light  could  beai*e ; 
A  ruefull  spectacle  of  death  and  ghasiiy  drere.'* 

u  His  sad  dull  eies,  deepe  sunck  in  hollow  pits. 
Could  not  endure  th'  unwonted  sunne  to  view ; 

1  ForUyre,  forlorn.  2  J)rere,  wretcliedness. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    VIII.  179 

His  bai'e  thin  cheekes  for  want  of  better  bits,^ 
And  empty  sides  deceived  of  their  dew. 
Could  make  a  stony  hart  his  hap  to  rew  ; 
His  rawbone  armes,  whose  mighty  brawned  bowra  * 
Were  wont  to  rive  Steele  plates,  and  helmets  hew, 
Were  clene  consum'd ;  and  all  his  vitall  powres 
Decayd ;    and  al  his  flesh  shronk  up  like  withered 
flowres. 

42  Whorae  when  his  lady  saw,  to  him  she  ran 
With  hasty  ioy :  to  see  him  made  her  glad. 
And  sad  to  view  his  visage  pale  and  wan ; 
Who  earst  ^  in  flowres  of  freshest  youth  was  clad. 
Tho,*  when  her  well  of  teares  she  wasted  had, 
She  said :  "  Ah  dearest  Lord  !  what  evill  starre 
On  you  hath  frownd,  and  pourd  his  influence  bad. 
That  of  your  selfe  ye  thus  berobbed  arre. 

And  this  misseeming  hew   your   manly  looks  doth 
marre  ? 

13  "  But  welcome  now,  my  Lord,  in  wele  or  woe, 
Whose  presence  I  have  lackt  too  long  a  day ; 
And  fye  on  Fortune,  mine  avowed  foe, 
Whose  wrathful  wreakes  5  themselves  doe  nowalay, 
And  for  these  wronges  shall  treble  penaunce  pay 
Of  treble  good  :  Good  growes  of  evils  priefe." ' 
The  chearelesse  man,  whom  sorow  did  dismay,' 

1  Bit.1,  food.  «  '^«''-«''  ^^'■°'"«- 

2  Boivrs,  benders,  flexor  muscles  ( ?  ).         ■•  Tlu>,  then. 
5  Wreakes,  acts  of  vengeance. 

«  I.  e.  out  of  the  experience  of  evil. 
■?  Disinat/,  unnerve,  render  impotent. 


180  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Had  no  delight  to  treaten  of  his  griefe  ; 
His  lono;  endured  famine  needed  more  relicfe. 

44  "  Faire  Lady,"  then  said  that  victorious  Knight, 
"  The  things,  that  grievous  were  to  doe,  or  beare, 
Them  to  renew,  I  wote,  breeds  no  delight ; 
Best  musicke  breeds  delight*  in  loathing  eare  : 
But  th'  only  good,  that  growes  of  passed  feare, 
Is  to  be  wise,  and  ware  of  like  agein. 
This  daies  ensamjile  hath  this  lesson  deare 
Deepe  written  in  my  heart  with  yron  pen, 

That  hlisse  may  not  abide  in  state  of  mortall  men. 

j5  "  Henceforth,    Sir   Knight,   take   to   you   wonted 
strength, 
And  maister  these  mishaps  with  patient  might : 
Loe  wher  your  foe  lies  stretcht  in  monstrous  length : 
And  loe  that  wicked  woman  in  your  sight, 
The  roote  of  all  your  care  and  wretched  plight, 
Now  in  your  powre,  to  let  her  live,  or  die." 
"  To  doe  her  die,"  quoth  Una,  "  were  despight, 
And  shame  t'  avenge  so  weake  an  enimy ; 

But  spoile  her  of  her  scarlet  robe,  and  let  her  fly.'' 

t.6  So,  as  she  bad,  that  Witch  they  disaraid, 
And  robd  of  roiall  robes,  and  purple  pall, 
And  ornaments  that  richly  were  displaid ; 
Ne  spared  they  to  strip  her  naked  all. 
Then,  when  they  had  despoyld  her  tire  and  call,* 
Such  as  she  was,  their  eies  might  her  behold, 

iQu.  despight  ?  dislike?     2  fire  and  call,  head-dress  and  cap 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    VIIl.  181 

That  her  misshaped  parts  did  them  appall ; 
A  loathly,  wrinckled  hag,  ill  favoured,  old. 
Whose  secret  filth  good  manners  biddeth  not  be  told.. 

47  Her  crafty  head  was  altogether  bald, 
And,  as  in  hate  of  honorable  eld, 

Was  overgrowne  with  scurfe  and  filthy  scald ; 
Her  teeth  out  of  her  rotten  gummes  were  feld,^ 
And  her  sowre  breath  abhominably  smeld  ; 
Her  dried  dugs,  lyke  bladders  lacking  wind. 
Hong  downe,  and  filthy  matter  from  them  weld;. 
Her  wrizled^  skin,  as  rough  as  maple  rind. 
So  scabby  was,  that  would  have  loathd  all  woman- 
kind. 

48  Her  neather  parts,  the  shame  of  all  her  kind, 
My  chaster  Muse  for  shame  doth  blush  to  write : 
But  at  her  rompe  she  growing  had  behind 

A  foxes  taile,  with  dong  all  fowly  dight  : 
And  eke  her  feete  most  monstrous  were  in  sight ; 
For  one  of  them  was  like  an  eagles  claw. 
With  griping  talaunts  armd  to  greedy  fight ; 
The  other  like  a  beares  uneven  paw : 
More  ugly  shape  yet  never  living  creature  saw. 

4D  Which  when  the  knights  beheld,  amazd  they  were, 
And  wondred  at  so  fowle  deformed  wight. 
«  Such  then,"  said  Una,  "  as  she  seemeth  here, 
Such  is  the  face  of  Falshood  ;  such  the  sight 
Of  fowle  Duessa,  when  her  borrowed  light 

1 FM,  fallen.  ^  Wnzkd,  wrinkled. 


182  THE    FAKKIE    QUEKNE. 

Is  laid  away,  and  counterfesaunce^  knowne." 
Thus  when  they  had  the  Witch  disrobed  quight, 
And  all  her  filthie  feature  open  showne, 
They  let  her  goe  at  will,  and  wander  waies  unknowne. 

50  Shee,  flying  fast  from  heavens  hated  face, 
And  from  the  world  that  her  discovered  wide, 
Fled  to  the  wastfuU  wildernesse  apace, 
Fi'ora  living  eies  her  open  shame  to  hide  ; 
And  lurkt  in  rocks  and  caves,  long  unespide. 
But  that  faire  crew  of  knights,  and  Una  faire, 
Did  in  that  csstle  afterwards  abide. 
To  rest  themselves,  and  weary  powres  repaire : 

\¥h(;re  store  they  fownd  of  al  that  dainty  was  and 
rare. 

1  Cmf.rUej'Jeaaunce,  counterfeiting. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    IX.  183 


CANTO    IX, 

His  loves  and  lignage  Arthure  tells: 
The  Knights  knitt  friendly  hands: 

Sir  Trevisan  flies  from  Despeyre, 
Wliom  Redcros  Knight  withstands. 

1  O  GOODLY  golden  chayne  !  wherewith  yfere^ 
The  vertues  linked  are  in  lovely  wize, 

And  noble  mindes  of  yore  allyed  were, 
In  brave  poursuitt  of  chevalrous  emprize ; 
That  none  did  others  safety  despize, 
Nor  aid  envy  to  him,  in  need  that  stands ; 
But  friendly  each  did  others  praise  devize 
How  to  advaunce  with  favourable  hands, 
As  this  good  Prince  redeemd  the  Redcrosse  Knight 
from  bands. 

2  Who  when  their  powres,  erapayrd  through  labor 

long, 
"With  dew  repast  they  had  recured*^  well, 
And  that  weake  captive  wight  now  wexed  strong; 
Them  list  no  lenger  there  at  leasure  dwell. 
But  forward  fare,  as  their  adventures  fell : 
But,  ere  they  parted,  Una  faire  besougiit 
That  strauncjer  Knight  his  name  and  nation  tell ; 

1  Yftre.,  together.  2  Recured,  recruited. 


184  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Least  so  great  good,  as  he  for  her  had  wrought, 
Should   die    unknown,    and    buried    be    in   thankles 
thought. 

3  "  Faire  Virgin,"  said  the  Prince,  "  jee  me  require 
A  thing  without  the  compas  of  my  witt : 

For  both  the  lignage,  and  the  certein  sire, 
From  which  I  sprong,  from  mee  are  hidden  yitt. 
For  all  so  soone  as  life  did  me  admitt 
Into  this  world,  and  shewed  hevens  light, 
From  mothers  pap  I  taken  was  unfitt, 
And  streight  deliver'd  to  a  Fary  Knight, 
To  be  upbrought  in  gentle  thewes^  and  martiall  might. 

4  "  Unto  old  Timon  he  me  brought  bylive^; 
Old  Timon,  who  in  youthly  yeares  hath  beene 
In  warlike  feates  th'  expertest  man  alive. 
And  is  the  wisest  now  on  earth  I  weene : 

His  dwelling  is,  low  in  a  valley  greene. 
Under  the  foot  of  Rauran  mossy  hore, 
From  whence  the  river  Dee,  as  silver  cleene, 
His  tombling  billowes  rolls  with  gentle  rore  ; 
There  all  my  dales  he  traind  mee  up  in  vertuous  lore. 

5  "  Thether  the  great  magicien  Merlin  came, 
As  was  his  use,  ofttimes  to  visitt  mee ; 
For  he  had  charge  my  discipline  to  frame, 

1  Thewes,  manners,  accomplishments. 

2  Bylive,  immediately. 

IV.  1.  —  Old  Timon.]    By  tlie  name  of  his  tutor,  Spenser  ex- 
presses tliat  Artliur  was  brought  up  in  tlie  ways  of  lionor.   H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IX.  185 

And  tutors  nouriture  to  oversee. 
Him  oft  and  oft  I  askt  in  pi-ivity, 
Of  what  loines  and  what  lignage  I  did  spring. 
Whose  aunswere  bad  me  still  assured  bee, 
That  I  was  sonne  and  heire  unto  a  king, 
A.S  time  in  her  iust  term  the  truth  to  light  should  bring." 

6  "  Well  worthy  impe,"  ^  said  then  the  Lady  gent,* 
"  And  pupill  fitt  for  such  a  tutors  hand  ! 

But  what  adventure,  or  what  high  intent, 
Hath  brought  you  hether  into  Fary  land, 
Aread,^  Prince  Arthure,  crowne  of  martiall  band  ?  " 
"  Full  hard  it  is,"  quoth  he,  "  to  read  aright 
The  course  of  heavenly  cause,  or  understand 
The  secret  meaning  of  th'  Eternall  Might, 
That  rules  mens  waies,  and  rules  the  thoughts  of  liv- 
ing wight. 

7  «  For  whether  He,  through  fatal  deepe  foresight. 
Me  hither  sent,  for  cause  to  me  unghest ; 

Or  that  fresh  bleeding  wound  which  day  and  night 

Whilome  doth  rancle  in  my  riven  brest, 

With  forced  fury  following  his  behest, 

Me  hether  brought  by  wayes  yet  never  found  ; 

You  to  have  helpt  I  hold  myselfe  yet  blest." 

1  Imw,  child.  2  Gent,  noble.  «  Aread,  declare. 


^^.  5.  -  Aread  Prince  Arthure.]  "  Arthur  and  Una  have  been 
hitherto  represented  as  entire  strangers  to  each  other,  and  it  does 
not  appear  how  Una  became  acquainted  with  the  name  of  this 
uew  knight."  —  \V  A  rton. 


186  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

"  Ah  !  courteous  Knight,"  quoth  she,  "  what  secret 
wound 
Could  ever  find  to  grieve  the  gentlest  hart  on  ground  ?  " 

8  "  Deare  Dame,"  quoth  he,  "  you  sleeping  sparkes 

awake. 
Which,  troubled  once,  into  huge  flames  will  grow ; 
Ne  ever  will  their  fervent  fury  slake, 
Till  living  nioysture  into  smoke  do  flow, 
And  wasted  life  doe  lye  in  ashes  low. 
Yet  sithens*  silence  lesseneth  not  my  fire, 
But,  told,  it  flames  ;  and,  hidden,  it  does  glow  ; 
I  will  revele  what  ye  so  much  desire  : 
Ah!  Love,  lay  down  thy  bow,  that  whiles^  I  may  re- 
spyre. 

9  "  It  was  in  freshest  flowre  of  youthly  yeares, 
When  corage  first  does  creepe  in  manly  chest ; 
Then  first  the  cole  of  kindly  heat  appeares 

To  kindle  love  in  every  living  brest: 
But  me  had  warnd  old  Timons  wise  behest, 
Those  creeping  flames  by  reason  to  subdew. 
Before  their  rage  grew  to  so  great  unrest. 
As  miserable  lovers  use  to  rew, 
Which  still  wex  old  in  woe,  whiles  wo  stil  wexeth  new. 

10  "  That  ydle  name  of  love,  and  lovers  life, 
As  losse  of  time,  and  vertues  enimy, 
I  ever  scornd,  and  ioyd  to  stirre  up  strife. 
In  middest  of  their  mournfuil  tragedy  ; 
Ay  wont  to  laugh,  when  them  I  heard  to  cry, 

1  Sithens,  since.  2  Whiles,  meanwhile. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IX.  187 

And  blow  the  fire,  which  them  to  ashes  brent*: 
Their  god  himselfe,  grievd  at  my  hbertie, 
Shott  many  a  dart  at  me  with  fiers  intent ; 
But  I  them  warded  all  with  wary  government. 

11  "  But  all  in  vaine  ;  no  fort  can  be  so  strong, 
Ne  fleshly  brest  can  armed  be  so  sownd, 
But  will  at  last  be  wonne  with  battrie  long, 
Or  unawares  at  disavantage  fownd  : 
Nothing  is  sure  that  growes  on  earthly  grownd. 
And  who  most  trustes  in  arme  of  fleshly  might. 
And  boastes  in  beauties  chaine  not  to  be  bownd. 
Doth  soonest  fall  in  disaventrous  fight. 

And  yeeldes  his  caytive^  neck  to  victours  most  de- 
spight. 

12  "  Ensample  make  of  him  your  haplesse  ioy, 
And  of  my  selfe,  now  mated  ^  as  ye  see  ; 
Whose  prouder  vaunt  that  proud  avenging  boy 
Did  soone  pluck  downe,  and  curbd  my  libertee. 
For  on  a  day,  prickt  forth  with  iollitee 

Of  looser  life  and  heat  of  hardiment,^ 
Raunsino;  the  forest  wide  on  courser  free, 
The  fields,  the  floods,  the  heavens,  with  one  consent, 
Did  seeme  to  laugh  on  me,  and  favour  mine  intent. 

13  "  Forwearied^  with  my  sportes,  I  did  alight 
From  loftie  steed,  and  downe  to  sleep  me  layd  : 
The  verdant  gras  my  couch  did  goodly  dight, 

1  Brent,  burnt.  *  Uaivliment,  boldness. 

2  Cmitive,  captive.  ^  Forwearied,  wearied  out. 
8  Mated,  dejecteJ. 


188  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  pillow  was  my  helmett  fayre  displayd  : 
Whiles  every  sence  the  humour  sweet  embajd,^ 
And  slombring  soft  my  hart  did  steale  away, 
Me  seemed,  by  my  side  a  royall  mayd 
Her  daintie  limbes  full  softly  down  did  lay  ; 
So  fayre  a  creature  yet  saw  never  sunny  day. 

14  "  Most  goodly  gloe  and  lovely  blandishment 
She  to  me  made,  and  badd  me  love  her  deai-e ; 
For  dearely  sure  her  love  was  to  me  bent, 
As,  when  iust  time  expired,  should  appeare. 
But,  whether  dreames  delude,  or  true  it  were. 
Was  never  hart  so  ravisht  with  delight, 
Ne  living  man  like  wordes  did  ever  heare. 
As  she  to  me  delivered  all  that  night ; 

And  at  her  parting  said,  she  Queene  of  Faries  hight.'' 

.D  "  When  I  awoke,  and  found  her  place  devoyd, 
And  nought  but  pressed  gras  where  she  had  lyen, 
I  sorrowed  all  so  much  as  earst  I  ioyd, 
And  washed  all  her  place  with  watry  eyen. 
From  that  day  forth  I  lov'd  that  face  divyne ; 
From  that  day  forth  I  cast  in  carefull  inynd, 
To  seeke  her  out  with  labor  and  long  tyne,' 
And  never  vowd  to  rest  till  her  I  fynd  : 

Nyne  monethes  I  seek  in  vain,  yet  ni'll  *  that  vow 
unbynd." 

16  Thus  as  he  spake,  his  visage  wexed  pale, 
And  chaunge  of  hew  great  passion  ^  did  bewray  ; 

1  Emhnyfl,  bathed.  ■*  NVll,  I  will  not. 

2  Ilujld,  was  called.  ^  Passion,  emotion. 

3  Tijne,  pain. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IX.  189 

Yett  still  he  strove  to  cloke  his  inward  bale/ 
And  hide  the  smoke  that  did  his  fire  display ; 
Till  gentle  Una  thus  to  him  gan  say  : 
«  0  happy  Queene  of  Faries,  that  hast  fownd, 
Mongst  many,  one  that  with  his  prowesse  may 
Defend  thine  honour,  and  thy  foes  confownd  I 
True  loves  are  often  sown,  but  seldom  grow  on  grownd." 

n  "Thine,  0,  tlien," said  the  gentle  Redcrosse  Knight. 
"Next  to  tliat  Ladies  love,  shal  be  the  place, 
0  fayrest  Virgin,  full  of  heavenly  light. 
Whose  wondrous  faith,  exceeding  earthly  race, 
Was  firmest  fixt  in  myne  extremes!  case. 
And  you,  my  Lord,  tlie  patrone  of  my  life, 
Of  that   great    Queene    may    well  gaine  worth ie 

grace ; 
For  onely  worthie  you  through  prowes  priefe,^ 

i'f  livhig  man  mote  worthie  be,  to  be  her  liefe."  ' 

13  So  diversly  discoursing  of  their  loves, 

The  golden  sunne  his  glistring  head  gan  shew. 

And  sad  remembraunce  now  the  Prince  amoves* 

With  fi-esh  desire  his  voyage  to  pursew  : 

Als^  Una  earnd"  her  traveill  to  renew. 

Then  those  two  knights,  fast  frendship  for  to  bynd, 

And  love  establish  each  to  other  trew. 

Gave  goodly  gifts,  the  signes  of  gratefull  mynd. 

And    eke,    as    pledges    firme,  riglit    hands    together 
ioynd. 

1  Bak,  soiTOw.  ■*  Amoves,  moves. 

2  Priefe,  proof  ^  Als,  also. 

3  Lie/e,  love.  «  J-Miiul,  yeanied. 

VOL.  I.  IS 


190  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

19  Prince  Arthur  gave  a  boxe  of  diamond  sure, 
Embowd^  with  gold  and  gorgeous  ornament, 
Wherein  were  closd  few  drops  of  liquor  pure. 
Of  wondrous  worth,  and  vertue  excellent, 
That  any  wownd  could  heale  incontinent. 
Which  to  requite,  the  Redcrosse  Knight  him  gave 
A  booke,  wherein  his  Saveours  Testament 

Was  writt  with  golden  letters  rich  and  brave  : 
A  worke  of  wondrous  grace,  and  hable  soules  to  save, 

20  Thus  beene  they  parted  ;  Arthur  on  his  way 
To  seeke  his  love,  and  th'  other  for  to  fight 
With  Unaes  foe,  that  all  her  realme  did  pray.*^ 
But  she,  now  weigliing  the  decayed  plight 
And  shrunken  synewes  of  her  chosen  knight, 
Would  not  a  while  her  forward  course  pursew. 
Ne  bring  him  forth  in  face  of  dreadfuU  fight. 
Till  he  recovered  had  his  former  hew : 

for  him  to  be  yet  weake  and  wearie  well  she  knew. 

21  So  as  they  traveild,  lo  !  they  gan  espy 

An  armed  knight  towards  tliem  gallop  fast, 
That  seemed  from  some  feared  foe  to  fly. 
Or  other  griesly  thing,  that  him  aghast.* 
Still,  as  he  fledd,  his  eye  was  backward  cast, 
As  if  his  feare  still  followed  him  behynd. 
Als  flew  his  steed,  as  he  his  bandes  had  brast,* 
And  with  his  winged  heeles  did  tread  the  wynd, 
A.S  he  had  beene  a  fole  of  Pegasus  his  ^  kynd. 

1  Embowd,  arched.  *  Bi-asl.  bni'st. 

2  Pray,  r;iv;i<;e.  6  Pegaghs  Jiis,  Pegasus's. 
8  Ai^hdst,  terrified 


BOOK    1.    CANTO   IX.  191 

S2  Nigh  as  he  drew,  they  might  perceive  his  head 
To  bee  unarmd,  and  curld  uncombed  heares 
Upstaring  stiffe,  dismaid  with  uncouth  di-ead  : 
Nor  drop  of  blood  in  all  his  face  appeares, 
Nor  life  in  limbe ;  and,  to  increase  his  feares, 
In  fowle  reproch  of  knighthoodes  fayre  degree, 
About  his  neck  an  hempen  rope  he  weares, 
That  with  his  glistring  armes  does  ill  agree : 

But  he  of  rope,  or  armes,  has  now  no  memoree. 

23  The  Redcrosse  Knight  toward  him  crossed  fast, 
To  weet  what  mister  ^  wight  was  so  dismayd : 
There  him  he  findes  all  sencelesse  and  agliast. 
That  of  himselfe  he  seemd  to  be  afrayd  ; 
Whom  hardly  he  from  flying  forward  stayd. 
Till  he  these  wordes  to  him  deliver  might: 

"  Sir  Knight,  aread^  who  hath  ye  thus  arayd, 
And  eke  from  whom  make  ye  this  hasty  flight? 
For  never  knight  I  saw  in  such  misseeming^  plight." 

24  He  answerd  nought  at  all ;  but  adding  new 
Feare  to  his  first  amazment,  staring  wyde 
With  stony  eyes  and  hartlesse  hollow  hew, 
Astonislit  stood,  as  one  that  had  aspyde 
Infernall  furies  with  their  chaines  untyde. 
Ilim  yett  againe,  and  yett  againe,  bespake 

The  gentle  Knight ;  who  nought  to  him  replyde  ; 
But,  trembling  every  ioynt,  did  inly  quake, 
And  foltring  tongue  at  last  these  words  seemd  J'orth 
to  shake : 

1  Mister,  kind  of.  8  Misseeming,  unseemly. 

*  Aread,  declurc. 


192  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

85  "  For  Gods  deare  love,  Sir  Knight,  doe  me  not  stay 
For  loe  !  he  comes,  he  comes  fast  after  mee  !  " 
Eft  ^  looking  back,  would  faine  have  runne  away ; 
But  he  him  forst  to  stay,  and  tellen  free 
The  secrete  cause  of  his  perplexitie  : 
Yet  nathemore^  by  his  bold  hartie  speach 
Could  his  blood-frosen  hart  emboldened  bee, 
But  throusrh  his  boldnes  rather  feare  did  reach  ; 

Yett,  forst,  at  last  he  made  through  silence  suddein 
breach : 

26  "  And  am  I  now  in  safetie  sure,"  quoth  he, 

"  From  him  that  would  have  forced  me  to  dye  ? 
And  is  the  point  of  death  now  turnd  fro  mee, 
That  I  may  tell  this  haplesse  history  ?  " 
"  Feare  nought,"  quoth  he, "  no  daunger  now  is  nye." 
"  Then  shall  I  you  recount  a  ruefuU  cace," 
Said  he,  "  the  which  with  this  unlucky  eye 
I  late  beheld  ;  and,  had  not  greater  grace 
Me  reft  from  it,  had  bene  partaker  of  the  place. 

27  "  I  lately  chaunst  (would  I  had  never  chaunst !) 
"With  a  fayre  kiiiglit  to  keepen  companee, 

Sir  Terwin  hight,  that  well  himselfe  advaunst 
In  all  alfayres,  and  was  both  bold  and  free ; 
But  not  so  happy  as  mote  happy  bee : 
He  lov'd,  as  was  his  lot,  a  lady  gent,* 
That  him  againe  lov'd  in  the  least  degree  ; 
For  she  was  proud,  and  of  too  high  intent. 
And  ioyd  to  see  her  lover  languish  and  lament: 

1  Eft,  again.  '  Gent,  noble. 

2  Nathemore,  none  the  more. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IX.  193 

28  "  From  whom  retourning  sad  and  corafortiesse, 
As  on  the  way  together  we  did  fere, 

"We  met  that  villen,  (God  from  him  me  blesse !) 
That  cursed  wight,  from  whom  I  scapt  whyleare,^ 
A  man  of  hell,  that  calls  himselfe  Despayre  : 
Who  first  us  greets,  and  after  fayre  areedes  ^ 
Of  tydinges  straunge,  and  of  adventures  rare : 
So  creeping  close,  as  snake  in  hidden  weedes, 
Inquireth  of  our  states,  and  of  our  knightly  deedes. 

29  "  Which  when  he  knew,  and  felt  our  feeble  harts 
Embost  ^  with  bale,*  and  bitter  byting  griefe. 
Which  love  had  launched  with  his  deadly  darts  ; 
With  wounding   words,  and  termes   of  foule  re- 

priefe,^ 
He  pluckt  from  us  all  hope  of  dew  reliefe, 
That  earst  us  held  in  love  of  lingring  life : 
Then  hopelesse,  hartlesse,  gan  the  cunning  thiefe 
Perswade  us  dye,  to  stint  all  further  strife ; 
To  me  he  lent  this  rope,  to  him  a  rusty  knife  : 

30  "  With  which  sad  instrument  of  hasty  death, 
That  wofull  lover,  loathing  lenger  light, 

A  wyde  way  made  to  let  forth  living  breath. 
But  I,  more  fearefull  or  more  lucky  wight, 
Dismayd  with  that  deformed  dismall  sight, 
Fledd  fast  away,  halfe  dead  with  dying  feare ; 
Ne  yet  assur'd  of  life  by  you.  Sir  Knight, 

1  Whykare,  a  little  while  ago.  *  Bale,  sorrow. 

2  Areedes,  informs.  ^  Bepriefe,  reproof. 

3  Embost,  exhausted. 


19-1  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Whose  like  infirmity  like  chaunce  may  beare  : 
But  God  you  never  let  his  charmed  speaches  heare ! " 

31  "  How  may  a  man,"  said  he,  "  with  idle  speach 
Be  wonne  to  spoyle  the  castle  of  his  health  ?  " 

"  I  wote,"  quoth  he,  "  whom  tx-yall  late  did  teach, 
That  like  would  not  for  all  this  worldes  wealth. 
His  subtile  tong,  like  dropping  honny,  mealt'h^ 
Into  the  heart,  and  searcheth  every  vaine ; 
That,  ere  one  be  aware,  by  secret  stealth 
His  powre  is  reft,  and  weaknes  doth  remaine. 
0  never,  Sir,  desire  to  try  his  guilefuU  traine ! " 

32  ^  Certes,"  sayd  he,  "  hence  shall  I  never  rest, 
Till  I  that  treachours  art  have  heard  and  tryde  : 
And  you,  Sir  Knight,  whose  name  mote  I  request, 
Of  grace  do  me  unto  his  cabin  guyde." 

"  I,  that  hight  Trevisan,"  quoth  he,  "  will  ryde, 
Against  my  liking,  backe,  to  doe  you  grace : 
But  nor  for  gold  nor  glee  -  will  I  abyde 
By  you,  when  ye  arrive  in  that  same  place ; 
For  lever'  had  I  die  then  see  his  deadly  face." 

33  Ere  long  they  come,  where  that  same  wicked  wight 
His  dwelling  has,  low  in  an  hollow  cave, 

-  MeaWh,  melteth.  8  Lever,  rather. 

2  Qii.  fee?     Cf.   Canto  X.  43.  6. 


XXXI.  3.  —  /  wote,  Sec]  I,  who  have  been  taught  by  recent 
experience,  know  how  a  man  may  be  so  won,  though  I  would 
not  have  been  persuaded  to  do  the  Hke  by  the  world's  wealth.  H. 


BOOK    I.      CANTO    IX.  195 

Far  underneath  a  craggy  cliff  ypiglit,^ 
Darke,  doleful!,  dreary,  like  a  greedy  grave, 
That  still  for  carrion  carcases  doth  ci-ave : 
On  top  whei-eof  ay  dwelt  the  ghastly  owle, 
Shrieking  his  balefull  note,  which  ever  drave 
Far  from  that  haunt  all  other  chearefuU  fowle  ; 
And  all  about  it  wandring  ghostes  did  wayle  and  howie : 

34  And  all  about  old  stockes  and  stubs  of  trees, 
Whereon  nor  fruite  nor  leafe  was  ever  seene, 
Did  hang  upon  the  ragged  rocky  knees  ^  ; 
On  which  had  many  wretches  hanged  beene, 
Whose  carcases  were  scattred  on  the  greene, 
And  throwne  about  the  cliffs.     Arrived  there, 
That  bare-head  knight,  for  dread  and  dolefull  teene,' 
Would  faine  have  fled,  ne  durst  approchen  neare  ; 

But  th'  other  forst  him  staye,  and  comforted  in  feare. 

35  That  darkesome  cave  they  enter,  where  they  find 
That  cursed  man,  low  sitting  on  the  ground. 
Musing  full  sadly  in  his  suUein  mind : 

His  griesie^  lockes,  long  growen  and  unbound, 
Disordred  hong  about  his  shoulders  round, 
And  hid  his  face ;  through  which  his  hollow  eyne 
Lookt  deadly  dull,  and  stared  as  astound  ; 
His  raw-bone  cheekes,  through  penurie  and  pine, 
Were  shronke  into  his  iawes,  as®  he  did  never  dyne. 

1  Ypight,  placed. 

2  Ragged  rocky  knees,  rough  points  or  projections  of  rock. 
8  Teene,  trouble. 

4  Griesie,  greasy;  but  probably  a  misprint  for  grieslie,  grisly  OT 
grizzly. 
^  As,  as  if. 


196  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

36  His  garment,  nought  but  many  ragged  clouts, 
With  thornes  together  pind  and  patched  was, 
The  which  his  naked  sides  he  wrapt  abouts  : 
And  him  beside  there  lay  upon  the  gras 

A  dreary  corse,  whose  life  away  did  pas, 
All  wallowd  in  his  own  yet  luke-vvarme  blood, 
That  from  his  wound  yet  welled  fresh,  alas ! 
In  which  a  rusty  knife  fast  fixed  stood, 
And  made  an  open  passage  for  the  gushing  flood. 

37  Which  piteous  spectacle,  approving  trew 
The  wofull  tale  that  Trevisan  had  told, 
Whenas  the  gentle  Redcrosse  Knight  did  vew ; 
With  firie  zeale  he  burnt  in  courage  bold 

Him  to  avenge,  before  his  blood  were  cold ; 
And  to  the  Villein  sayd  :  "  Thou  damned  wight. 
The  authour  of  this  fact  we  here  behold. 
What  iustice  can  but  iudge  against  thee  right, 
With  thine  owne  blood  to  price  ^  his  blood,  here  shed 
in  sight  ?  " 

ib  "  What   franticke  fit,"  quoth  he,  "  hath  thus  dis- 
traught 
Thee,  foolish  man,  so  rash  a  doome  to  give  ? 
What  iustice  ever  other  iudgeraent  taught, 
But  he  should  dye,  who  merites  not  to  live  ? 
None  els  to  death  this  man  despayring  drive  * 
But  his  owne  guiltie  mind,  deserving  death. 
Is  then  uniust  to  each  his  dew  to  give  ? 

^ Price,  pay  for.  ^  Drive,  i.  e.  driv  (drove). 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IX.  197 

Or  let  hira  dye,  that  loatheth  living  breath  ? 
Or  let  him  die  at  ease,  that  liveth  here  uneath  ^  ? 

39  "  Who  travailes  by  the  wearie  wandring  way, 
To  come  unto  his  wished  home  in  haste, 

And  meetes  a  flood,  that  doth  his  passage  stay ;. 
Is  not  great  grace  to  helpe  him  over  past, 
Or  free  his  feet  that  in  the  myre  sticke  fast  ? 
Most  envious  man,  that  grieves  at  neighbours  good';- 
And  fond,^  that  ioyest  in  the  woe  thou  hast ; 
Why  wilt  not  let  him  passe,  that  long  hath  steod^ 
Upon  the  bancke,  yet  wilt  thyselfe  not  pas  the  flood  ? 

40  "  He  there  does  now  enioy  eternall  rest 

And  happy  ease,  which  thou  doest  want  and  crave. 
And  further  from  it  daily  wanderest : 
What  if  some  little  payne  the  passage  have, 
That  makes  frayle  flesh  to  feare  the  bitter  wave ;: 
Is  not  short  payne  well  borne,  that  bringes  long. ease, 
And  layes  the  soule  to  sleepe  in  quiet  grave  ? 
Sleepe  after  toyle,  port  after  stormie  seas. 
Ease  after  warre,  death  after  life,  does  gi-eatly  please." 

ti  The  Knigrht  much  wondred  at  his  suddeine  wit, 
And  sayd  :  "  The  terme  of  life  is  limited, 
Ne  may  a  man  prolong,  nor  shorten,  it : 
The  souldier  may  not  move  from  watchfuU  sted.^ 
Nor  leave  his  stand  untill  his  captaine  bed."  * 
"  Who  life  did  limit  by  almightie  doome," 


1  Uneath,  uneasy.  *  Steel,  place. 

2  Fomt,  foolish.  *Bed,  bid. 


198  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Quoth  he,  "  knowes  best  the  termes  established ; 
And  he  that  points^  the  centonell  his  roome'* 
Doth  license  him  depart  at  sound  of  morning  droorae.' 

i-2  "  Is  not  His  deed  whatever  thing  is  donne 
In  heaven  and  earth  ?     Did  not  He  all  create 
To  die  againe  ?     All  ends,  that  was  begonne  : 
Their  times  in  His  eternall  booke  of  fate 
Ai'e  written  sure,  and  have  their  certein  date. 
"Who  then  can  strive  with  strong  necessitie, 
That  holds  the  world  in  his  still  chaunging  state ; 
Or  shunne  the  death  ordaynd  by  destinie  ? 

When  lioure  of  death  is  come,  let  none  aske  whence, 
nor  why. 

43  *'  The  lenger  life,  I  wote^  the  greater  sin  ; 
The  greater  sin,  the  greater  punishment : 
All  those  great  battels,  which  thou  boasts  to  win 
Through  strife,  and  blood-shed,  and  aveiigement, 
Now  praysd,  hereafter  deare  thou  shalt  repent : 
For  life  must  life,  and  blood  must  blood,  repay. 
Is  not  enough  thy  evill  life  forespent^? 
For  he  that  once  hath  missed  the  right  way, 

The  further  he  doth  goe,  the  further  he  doth  stray : 

j4  "  Then  doe  no  further  goe,  no  further  stray ; 
But  here  ly  downe,  and  to  thy  rest  betake, 
Th'  ill  to  prevent,  that  life  ensewen®  may. 
For  what  hath  life,  that  may  it  loved  make, 

1  Points,  appoints.  *  Wote,  know,  deem. 

2  Rooine,  plnce.  ^  Fure-ynnt,  consumed  (forspent). 

3  Druoiiic,  drum.  6  Ensewtii,  follow. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    IX.  199 

And  gives  not  rather  cause  it  to  forsake  ? 
Feare,  sicknesse,  age,  losse,  labour,  sorrow,  strife, 
Payne,  liunger,  cold,  that  makes  the  hax't  to  quake; 
And  ever  fickle  fortune  rageth  rife ; 
All  which,  and  thousands  mo/  do  make  aloathsorae  life. 

Id  "  Thou,  wretched  man,  of  death  hast  greatest  need. 
If  in  true  ballaunce  thou  wilt  weigh  thy  state  ; 
For  never  knight,  that  dared  warlike  deed, 
More  luckless  dissaventures  did  amate^  : 
Witnes  the  dungeon  deepe,  wherein  of  late/ 
Thy  life  shutt  up  for  death  so  oft  did  call'; 
And  though  good  lucke  prolonged  hath  thy  date, 
Yet  death  then  would  the  like  mishaps  forestall, 

Into  the  which  hereafter  thou  maist  happen  fall. 

46  "  Why  then  doest  thou,  O  man  of  sin,  desire 
To  draw  thy  dayes  forth  to  their  last  degree  ? 
Is  not  the  measure  of  thy  sinfuU  hire 
High  heaped  up  with  huge  iniquitee. 
Against  the  day  of  wrath,  to  burden  thee  ? 
Is  not  enough,  that  to  this  lady  mild 
Thou  falsed^  hast  thy  feith  with  periuree, 
And  sold  thy  selfe  to  serve  Duessa  vild. 

With  whom  in  al  abuse  thou  hast  thy  selfe  defild 

17  "  Is  not  he  iust,  that  all  this  doth  behold 

From  highest  heven,  and  beares  an  equall  eie  ? 
Shall  he  thy  sins  up  in  his  knowledge  fold, 
And  guilty  be  of  thine  irapietie  ? 

1  Mo,  more.  ^  ^'«^«'.  broken. 

^Ainate,  appall. 


5 


200  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

Is  not  his  lawe,  Let  every  sinner  die : 

Die  shall  all  Hesh?     What  then  must  needs  be 

donne,- 
Is  it  not  better  to  doe  willinglie, 
Then  linger  nil  the  glas  be  all  out  ronne  ? 
Death  is  the  end  of  woes  :  die  soone,  O  Faries  sonne.'* 

4S  The  Knight  was  much  enmoved  with  his  speach, 
That  as  a  swords  poynt  through  his  hart  did  perse, 
And  in  his  conscience  made  a  secrete  breach, 
Well  knowing  ti'ew  all  that  he  did  reherse, 
Aad  to  his  fresh  remembraunce  did  reverse* 
The  ugly  vevv  of  his  deformed  crimes; 
That  all  his  manly  powres  it  did  disperse, 
As  he  were  charmed  with  inchaunted  rimes ; 

That  oftentimes  he  quakt,  and  fainted  oftentimes. 

49  In  which  amazement  when  the  Miscreaunt 
Perceived  him  to  waver  weake  and  fraile, 
Whiles  trembling  horror  did  his  conscience  daunt, 
And  hellish  anguish  did  his  soule  assaile  ; 

To  drive  him  to  despaire,  and  quite  to  quaile, 
Hee  shewd  him  painted  in  a  table  ^  plaine 
The  damned  ghosts,  that  doe  in  torments  waile, 
And  thousand  feends,  that  doe  them  endlesse  paine 
With  fire  and  brimstone,  which  for  ever  shall  remaine. 

50  The  sight  whereof  so  throughly  him  dismaid, 
That  nought  but  death  before  his  eies  he  saw. 
And  ever  burning  wrath  before  him  laid. 

By  righteous  sentence  of  th'  Almighties  law. 

I  Reve7se,  cause  to  return.  ^  Table,  picture. 


BOOK    I.      CANTO    IX.  201 

Then  gan  the  Villein  him  to  overcraw,^ 
And  brought  unto  him  swords,  ropes,  poison,  fire, 
And  all  that  might  him  to  perdition  draw ; 
And  bad  him  choose,  what  death  he  would  desire: 
For  death  was  dew  to  him,  that  had  provokt  Gods  ire. 

51  But  whenas  none  of  them  he  saw  him  take, 
He  to  him  raught  '^  a  dagger  sharpe  and  keene, 
And  gave  it  him  in  hand :  his  hand  did  quake 
And  tremble  like  a  leafe  of  aspin  greene, 

And  troubled  blood  through  his  pale  face  was  seene 
To  come  and  goe,  with  tidings  from  the  heart, 
As  it  a  ronning  messenger  had  beene. 
At  last,  resolv'd  to  worke  his  finall  smart, 
He  lifted  up  his  hand,  that  backe  againe  did  start. 

52  Which  whenas  Una  saw,  through  every  vaine 
The  crudled  ^  cold  ran  to  her  well  of  life, 

As  in  a  swowne  :  but,  soone  reliv'd*  againe. 
Out  of  his  hand  she  snatcht  the  cursed  knife, 
And  threw  it  to  the  ground,  enraged  rife. 
And  to  him  said :  "  Fie,  fie,  faint-hearted  Kniglit, 
What  meanest  thou  by  this  reprochfuU  strife  ? 
Is  this  the  battaile,  which  thou  vatmtst  to  fight 
With  that  fire-mouthed  Dragon,  horrible  and  bright  ? 

53  "  Come  ;  come  away,  fi-aile,  feeble,  fleshly  wight, 
Ne  let  vaine  words  bewitch  thy  manly  hart, 

Ne  divelish  thoughts  dismay  thy  constant  spright. 

1  Overcraw,  overcrow,  assume  a  superiority  over. 
"^Raiujht,  reached.  8  Criulkd,  curdled. 

*  Relived,  brousrht  to  life. 


202  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Ill  heavenly  mercies  hast  thou  not  a  part  ? 
Why  shouldst  thou  then  despeu'e,  that  chosen^  art? 
Where  iusticegrowes,  there  grows  eke  greter  grace, 
The  which  doth  quench  the  brond  of  hellish  smart, 
And  that  accurst  hand-writing  doth  deface : 
Arise,  Sir  Knight ;  arise,  and  leave  this  cursed  place." 

b4  So  up  he  rose,  and  thence  amounted  ^  streight. 
Which  when  the  Carle  ^  beheld,  and  saw  his  guest 
Would  safe  depart,  for  all  his  subtile  sleight ; 
He  chose  an  halter  from  among  the  rest, 
And  with  it  hong  himselfe,  unbid,  unblest. 
But  death  he  could  not  worke  himselfe  thereby  ; 
For  thousand  times  he  so  himselfe  had  drest,* 
Yet  nathelesse  it  could  not  doe  him  die, 

Till  he  should  die  his  last,  that  is,  eternally.* 


i  Chosen,  elected  to  be  saved.  3  Carle,  churl. 

2  Amounted,  mounted  his  horse.  4  Dresl,  treated. 


*  The  description  of  the  Cave  of  Despair  is  by  far  the  most 
powerful  passage  in  all  Spenser's  poetry.  There  is  an  idle  story 
that  Spenser  introduced  himself  to  Sir  i'hilip  Sidney  by  sending 
him  this  canto  of  the  Fairy  Queen,  and  that  Sir  Philip,  as  soon 
as  he  had  read  a  few  stanzas,  ordered  tlie  poet  a  present  of  fifty 
pounds.  One  stanza  more  caused  the  gift  to  be  doubled,  and  his 
admiration  kindling  as  he  went  on,  Sidney  bade  his  steward 
.nake  the  gift  two  hundred,  and  to  pay  it  ^t  once,  lest  he  should 
bestow  all  he  had  on  such  a  writer.     C. 


BOOK    I.    CANTO    X.  203 


CANTO    X. 


Ber  faithful!  Knight  faire  Una  brings 

lo  house  of  Holinesse; 
Where  he  is  taught  repentaunce,  and 

The  wav  to  hevenlv  blesse. 


t  What  man  is  he,  that  boasts  of  fleshly  might 
And  vaine  assuraunce  of  mortality, 
"Which,  all  so  soone  as  it  doth  come  to  fight 
Against  spirituall  foes,  yields  by  and  by,^ 
Or  from  the  fielde  most  cowardly  doth  fly ! 
Ne  let  the  man  ascribe  it  to  his  skill, 
That  thorough  grace  hath  gained  victory : 
If  any  strength  we  have,  it  is  to  ill ; 

But  all  the  good  is  Gods,  both  power  and  eke  will. 

2  By  that  which  lately  hapned,  Una  saw 
Tiiat  this  her  Knight  was  feeble,  and  too  faint ; 
And  all  his  sinewes  woxen  weake  and  raw, 
Throu"-h  Ion"-  enprisonment,  and  hard  constraint, 
Which  he  endured  in  his  late  restraint, 
That  yet  he  was  unfitt  for  bloody  fight. 
Tlierefore  to  cherish  him  with  diets  daint, 
She  cast  to  bring  him,  where  he  chearen-  might, 

Till  he  recovered  had  his  late  decayed  plight. 

I  By  awl  In,,  at  once.  '^  Chearen,  he  cheered. 


* 


204  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

3  There  was  an  auncient  house  not  far  away, 
Renowmed  throughout  the  world  for  sacred  lore 
And  pure  unspotted  life  :  so  well,  they  say. 

It  governd  was,  and  guided  evermore. 
Through  wisedome  of  a  matron  grave  and  hore 
Whose  onely  ioy  was  to  relieve  the  needes 
Of  wretched  soules,  and  helpe  the  helpelesse  po. 
All  night  she  spent  in  bidding  of  her  bedes. 
And  all  the  day  in  doing  good  and  godly  deedes. 

4  Dame  Ca^lia  men  did  her  call,  as  thought 
From  heaven  to  come,  or  thether  to  arise ; 
Tlie  mother  of  three  daughters,  well  upbrought 
In  goodly  thewes,^  and  godly  exercise; 

The  eldest  two,  most  sober,  chast,  and  wise, 
Fidelia  and  Speranza,  virgins  were; 
Tiiough  spousd,  yet  wanting  wedlocks  solemnize ; 
But  faire  Charissa  to  a  lovely  fere^ 
Was  lincked,  and  by  him  had  many  pledges  dere. 

5  Arrived  there,  the  dore  they  find  fast  lockt ; 
For  it  was  warely  watched  night  and  day, 

For  feare  of  many  foes  ;  but,  when  they  knockt, 
The  porter  opened  unto  them  stx'eight  way. 
He  was  an  aged  syre,  all  hory  gray, 
With  lookes  full  lowly  cast,  and  gate  full  slow. 
Wont  on  a  staife  his  feeble  steps  to  stay, 

1  Thewes,  habits.  2  Lovely  fh-e.  loving  mate. 


IV.  6,  8.     Fidelia,  Speranza,  and  Clinrissa,  as  their  namoa  indi- 
cate, are  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity.    H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    X.  205 

Hight^  Humilta.       They  passe  in,  stouping  low ; 
For  straight  and  narrow  was  the  way  which  he  did 
shew. 

6  Each  goodly  thing  is  hardest  to  begin ; 
But,  entred  in,  a  spatious  court  they  see, 
Both  plaine  and  pleasaunt  to  be  walked  in  ; 
Where  them  does  meete  afrancklin^  faire  and  free, 
And  entertaines  with  comely  courteous  glee  ; 

His  name  was  Zele,  that  him  right  well  became : 
For  in  his  speaches  and  behaveour  hee 
Did  labour  lively  to  expresse  the  same, 
And  gladly  did  them  guide,  till  to  the  hall  they  came. 

7  There  fayrely  them  receives  a  gentle  squyre, 
Of  myld  demeanure  and  rare  courtesee. 
Right  cleanly  clad  in  comely  sad*  attyre, 

In  word  and  deede  that  shewd  great  modestee, 
And  knew  his  good*  to  all  of  each  degree, 
Hight  Reverence.     He  them  with  speaches  meet 
Does  faire  entreat :   no  courting  nicetee. 
But  simple  trew,  and  eke  unfained  sweet, 
As  might  become  a  squyre  so  great  persons  to  greet. 

8  And  afterwardes  them  to  his  Dame  he  leades, 
That  aged  Dame,  the  Lady  of  the  place. 


1  Hight,  named.  3  Sad,  gi-ave. 

2  Francklin,  a  freeliolder.       ■*  I.  e.  knew  liow  to  behave  suitably. 


V.  9.  —  Fai-  sti-eiyht  nnrl  narrow,  &c.]     "  Strait  is  the  gate  and 
narrow  is  the  way  tluit  leadeth  unto  life."  —  JIatt.  vii.  14.   H. 
VOL.   I.  19 


206  THE    FAKKIE    QUEENE. 

Who  all  this  while  was  busy  at  her  beades ; 
Which  doen,  she  up  arose  with  seeinely  grace, 
And  toward  them  full  matronely  did  pace. 
Where,  when  that  fairest  Una  she  beheld, 
Whom  well  she  knew  to  spring  from  hevenly  race, 
Her  heart  with  ioy  unwonted  inly  sweld, 
As  feeling  wondrous  comfort  in  her  weaker  eld* : 

9  And,  her  embracing,  said :  "  0  happy  earth. 
Whereon  thy  innocent  feet  doe  ever  tread ! 
Most  vertuous  Virgin,  borne  of  hevenly  berth, 
That,  to  redeeme  thy  woefull  parents  head 
PVom  tyrans  rage  and  ever-dying  dread,^ 
Hast  wandred  through  the  world  now  long  a  day, 
Yett  ceassest  not  thy  weary  soles  to  lead  ; 
What  grace  hath  thee  now  hether  brought  this  way  ? 
Or  doen  thy  feeble  feet  unweeting^  hether  stray? 

10  "  Straunge  thing  it  is  an  errant  knight  to  see 
Here  in  this  place  ;  or  any  other  wight. 

That  hether  turnes  his  steps :  so  few  there  bee. 
That  chose  the  narrow  path,  or  seeke  the  right ! 
All  keepe  the  broad  high  way,  and  take  delight 
With  many  rather  for  to  goe  astray, 
And  be  partakers  of  their  evill  plight. 
Then  with  a  few  to  walke  the  rightest  way : 
O  !  foolish  men,  why  hast  ye  to  your  owne  decay  ?  " 

11  "  Thy  selfe  to  see,  and  tyred  limbes  to  rest, 

O  jNIatroiie  sage,"  quoth  she,  "  I  hether  came; 

1  Kid,  age.  8  Unweetiny,  unknowing. 

i  Ever-dyin<j  di-aiJ,  perpetual  fear  of  deatli. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    X.  207 

And  this  good  knight  his  way  with  me  addrest, 
Ledd  with  thy  prayses,  and  broad-blazed  fame, 
That  lip  to  heven  is  blowne."     The  auncient  Dame 
Him  goodly  greeted  in  her  modest  guyse, 
And  enterteynd  them  both,  as  best  became. 
With  all  the  court'sies  that  she  could  devyse, 
Ne  wanted  ought  to  shew  her  bounteous  or  wise. 

12  Thus  as  they  gan  of  sondrie  thinges  devise, 
Loe !  two  most  goodly  virgins  came  in  place, 
Ylinked  arme  in  arme,  in  lovely  wise  ; 
With  countenance  demure,  and  modest  grace, 
They  numbred  even  steps  and  equall  pace : 
Of  which  the  eldest,  that  Fidelia  hight. 

Like  sunny  beames,  threw  from  her  christall  face 

That*  could  have  dazd  '  the  rash  beholders  sight, 

Aid  round  about  her  head  did  shine  like  hevens  light. 

13  She  was  araied  all  in  lilly  white. 

And  in  her  right  hand  bore  a  cup  of  gold, 

With  wine  and  water  fild  up  to  the  hight, 

In  which  a  serpent  did  himselfe  enfold. 

That  horrour  made  to  all  that  did  behold ; 

But  she  no  whitt  did  chaunge  her  constant  mood : 

And  in  her  other  hand  she  fast  did  hold 

1  That,  that  which.  ^  Dazd,  dazzled. 


XIII.  i.  —  A  serpent.]  The  serpent  was  emblematic  of  health ; 
ttud  the  restoring  and  healing  power  of  Faith  is  here  alluded  to. 
The  reader  will  recollect  the  brazen  serpent  lifted  up  in  the  wil- 
derness, and  the  application  of  it  by  our  Saviour,  Joini  iii.  i  1.    H. 


208  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

A  booke,  that  was  both  signd  and  seald  with  blood  ; 
Wherin  darke  things  were  writt,  hard  to  be  understood. 

14  Her  younger  sister,  that  Speranza  hight, 
Was  clad  in  blew,  that  her  beseemed  well ; 
Not  all  so  chearefuU  seemed  she  of  sight, 
As  was  her  sister ;  whether  dread  did  dwell 
Or  anguish  in  her  hart,  is  hard  to  tell : 
Upon  her  arme  a  silver  anchor  lay, 
Whereon  she  leaned  ever,  as  befell ; 

And  ever  up  to  heven,  as  she  did  pray, 
Her  stedfast  eyes  were  bent,  ne  swarved  other  way, 

15  They,  seeing  Una,  towardes  her  gan  wend, 
Who  them  encounters  with  like  courtesee ; 
Many  kind  speeches  they  betweene  them  spend, 
And  greatly  icy  each  other  for  to  see : 

Then  to  the  Knight  with  shamefast  modestie 
They  turne  themselves,  at  Unaes  meeke  request. 
And  him  salute  with  well  beseeming  glee  ; 
Who  faire  them  quites,^  as  him  beseemed  best, 
And  goodly  gan  discourse  of  many  a  noble  gest.** 

16  Then  Una  thus  :  "  But  she,  your  sister  deare, 
The  deare  Charissa,  where  is  she  become  ? 
Or  wants  she  health,  or  busie  is  elswhere  ?  " 

"  Ah  !  no,"  said  they,  "  but  forth  she  may  not  come; 

1  Quites,  saJutes  in  return.  *  Gest,  achievement. 

XIII.  8.  —  A  booke,  Sec]  Faitli  holds  in  her  hand  the  New 
Testament,  to  which  is  iip](liod  the  expression  used  by  St.  Petei 
of  St.  Paul's  Kpistles,  2  Pet.  iii.  16.    H. 


BOOK    r.       CANTO    X.  209 

For  she  of  late  is  lightned  of  her  wombe, 
And  hath  encreast  the  world  with  one  sonne  more, 
That  her  to  see  should  be  but  troublesome." 
"  Indeed,"  quoth  she,  "  that  should  her  trouble  sore ; 
But  thankt  be  God,  and  her  encrease  so  evermore  !  " 

17  Then  saide  the  aged  Coelia  :  "  Deare  Dame, 
And  you,  good  Sir,  I  wote  that  of  youre  toyle 
And  labors  long,  through  which  ye  hether  came, 
Ye  both  forwearied  be  :  therefore  a  whyle 

I  read^  you  rest,  and  to  your  bowres^  recoyle."' 
Then  called  she  a  groome,  that  forth  him  ledd 
Into  a  goodly  lodge,  and  gan  despoile 
Of  puissant  armes,  and  laid  in  easie  bedd : 
His  name  was  meeke  Obedience  rightfully  aredd.* 

18  Now  when  their  wearie  limbes  with  kindly  rest, 
And  bodies  were  refresht  with  dew  repast, 
Fayre  Una  gan  Fidelia  fayre  request. 

To  have  her  Knight  into  her  Schoolehous  plaste, 
That  of  her  heavenly  learning  he  might  taste. 
And  heare  the  wisedom  of  her  wordes  divine. 
She  graunted ;  and  that  Knight  so  much  agraste,* 
That  she  him  taught  celestiall  discipline. 
And  opened  his  dull  eyes,  that  light  mote  in  them 
shiAe. 

19  And  that  her  sacred  Booke,  with  blood  ywritt. 
That  none  could  reade  except  she  did  them  teach, 

1  Read,  advise.  »  Recoyh,  retire. 

2  Bowres,  clnunbers.  *  ^'•«*'.  declared. 
6  So  much  agratU,  showed  iiiin  so  muoli  grace. 


210  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

She  unto  liim  disclosed  every  whitt ; 
And  heavenly  documents  ^  thereout  did  preach, 
That  weaker  witt  of  man  could  never  reach ; 
Of  God  ;  of  Grace  ;  of  Justice  ;  of  Free-will ; 
That  wonder  was  to  heare  her  goodly  speach: 
For  she  was  hable  with  her  wordes  to  kill, 
And  rayse  againe  to  life  the  hart  that  she  did  thrill. 

20  And  when  she  list  poure  out  her  larger  spright, 
She  would  commaund  the  hasty  sunne  to  stay, 
Or  backward  turne  his  course  from  hevens  hisrht: 
Sometimes  great  hostes  of  men  she  could  dismay  ; 
[Diy-shod  to  passe,  she  parts  the  fiouds  in  tway  ;  ] 
And  eke  huge  mountaines  from  their  native  seat 
She  would  commaund  themselves  to  beare  away, 
And  throw  in  raging  sea  with  roaring  threat : 

Almightie  God  her  gave  such  powre  and  puissaunce 
great. 

21  The  feithfull  Knight  now  grew  in  litle  space, 
By  hearing  her,  and  by  her  sisters  lore. 

To  such  perfection  of  all  hevenly  grace, 
That  wretched  world  he  gan  for  to  abhore. 
And  mortall  life  gan  loath  as  thing  forlore,^ 
Greevd  with  remembrance  of  his  wicked  wayes, 
And  prickt  with  anguish  of  his  sinnes  so  sore, 
Tliat  he  desirde  to  end  his  wretched  dayes  : 
So  much  the  dart  of  sinfull  guilt  the  soule  dismayes  I 

1  Documents,  instructions.  *  Forlore,  forlorn. 


XX.  5. — This  line  is  wanting  in  the  first  and  second  editions, 
and  is  first  found  in  tlie  folio  of  1609. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    X.  211 

sa  But  wise  Speranza  gave  him  comfort  sweet. 
And  taught  him  how  to  take  assured  hold 
Upon  her  silver  anchor,  as  was  meet ; 
Els  had  his  sinnes  so  great  and  manifold 
Made  him  forget  all  that  Fidelia  told. 
In  this  distressed  doubtful!  agony, 
When  him  his  dearest  Una  did  behold 
Disdeining  life,  desiring  leave  to  dye, 

She  found  her  selfe  assayld  with  great  perplexity ; 

23  And  came  to  Coelia  to  declare  her  smart ; 

Who  well  acquainted  with  that  commune^  phght, 
Which  sinfuU  horror  workes  in  wounded  hart, 
Her  wisely  comforted  all  that  she  might. 
With  goodly  counsell  and  advisement  right ; 
And  streightway  sent  with  carefull  diligence, 
To  fetch  a  leach,  the  which  had  great  insight 
In  that  disease  of  grieved  conscience. 

And  well  could  cure  the  same  ;  his  name  was  Patience. 

•24  Who,  comming  to  that  sowle-diseased  Knight, 
Could  hardly  him  intreat  to  tell  his  grief: 
Which  knowne,  and    all    that    noyd    his    heavie 

spright. 
Well  search t,  eftsoones^  he  gan  apply  relief 
Of    salves    and    med'cines,    which    had   passing' 

prief; 
And  thereto  added  wordes  of  wondrous  might : 
By  which  to  ease  he  him  recured  *  brief, 

t-  Commune,  common.  *  I-  e.  surprising  efficacy 

2  Eftsoones,  immediately.  *  Recured,  restored. 


212  THE    FAKRIE    QUEENE, 

And  much  aswag'd  the  passion  of  his  pHght,^ 
That  he  his  paine  endur'd,  as  seeming  now  more  hght- 

26  But  yet  the  cause  and  root  ci  all  his  ill, 
Inward  corruption  and  infected  sin, 
Not  purg'd  nor  heald,  behind  remained  still, 
And  festring  sore  did  ranckle  yett  within, 
Close  creeping  twixt  the  marow  and  the  skin : 
Which  to  extirpe,^  he  laid  him  privily 
Downe  in  a  darksome  lowly  place  far  in, 
Whereas  he  meant  his  corrosives  to  apply, 

And  with  streight  diet  tame  his  stubborne  malady. 

26  In  ashes  and  sackcloth  he  did  array 
His  daintie  corse,  proud  humors  to  abate ; 
And  dieted  with  fasting  every  day, 
The  swelling  of  his  woundes  to  mitigate ; 
And  made  him  pray  both  earely  and  eke  late : 
And  ever,  as  superfluous  flesh  did  rott. 
Amendment  readie  still  at  hand  did  wayt. 
To  pluck  it  out  with  pincers  fyrie  whott,' 

That  soone  in  him  was  lefte  no  one  corrupted  iott. 

::  And  bitter  Penaunce,  with  an  yron  whip. 
Was  wont  him  once  to  disple  *  every  day  :• 
And  sharpe  Remorse  his  hart  did  prick  and  nip, 
That  drops  of  blood  thence  like  a  well  did  play : 
And  sad  Repentance  used  to  embay' 


r6 


1  Passion  of  his  2)liffht,  the  sufferings  of  his  case. 

3  Extii-pe,  extirpate.  4  Dl$ple^  discipline. 

8  Wlwtt,  hot.  5  Embay,  bathe. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    X.  213 

His  blainefull  body  in  salt  water  sore,* 
Tiie  filthy  blottes  of  sin  to  wash  away. 
So  in  short  space  they  did  to  health  restore 
The  man  that  would  not  live,  but  erst  lay  at  deathes- 
dore. 

28  In  which  his  torment  often  was  so  great, 
That,  like  a  lyon,  he  would  cry  and  rore  ; 
And  rend  his  flesh ;  and  his  owne  synewes  eat. 
His  owne  deare  Una,  hearing  evermore 

His  ruefuU  shriekes  and  gronings,  often  tore 
Her  guiltlesse  garments  and  her  golden  hears,. 
For  pitty  of  his  payne  and  anguish  sore  : 
Yet  all  with  patience  wisely  she  did  beare  ; 
For  well  she  wist  his  cryme  could  els  be  never  cleare; 

29  Whom,  thus  recover'd  by  wise  Patience 

And  trew  Repentaunce,  they  to  Una  brought ; 
Who,  ioypus  of  his  cured  conscience. 
Him  dearely  kist,  and  fayrely  eke  besought 
Himselfe  to  cherish,  and  consuming  thought 
To  put  away  out  of  his  caref'uU  brest. 
By  this  Charissa,  late  in  child-bed  brought, 
Was  woxen  strong,  and  left  her  fruitfuU  nest : 
To  her  fayre  Una  brought  this  unacquainted  guest. 

30  She  was  a  woman  in  her  freshest  age, 
Of  wondrous  beauty,  and  of  bounty  rare, 


*  2d  Ed.  "  His  body  iu  salt  water  smarting  sore." 

XXIX.  7.  —  By  this  Charissa,  &c.]  Tlie  kniglit  is  at  last  made 
acquainted  with  Cliarity,  or  Love,  that  being  tlie  crowning  ex- 
cellence of  the  Christian  character.    H. 


214 


THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 


"With  goodly  grace  and  comely  personage, 
That  was  on  earth  not  easie  to  compare ; 
Full  of  great  love  ;  but  Cupids  wanton  snare 
As  hell  she  hated  ;  chaste  in  worke  and  will ; 
Her  necke  and  brests  were  ever  open  bare, 
That  ay  thereof  her  babes  might  sucke  their  fill ; 
The  lest  was  all  in  yellow  robes  arayed  still. 

31  A  multitude  of  babes  about  lier  honjT, 

Playing  their  sportes,  that  ioyd  her  to  behold ; 
Whom  still  she  fed,  whiles  they  were  weak  and 

young, 
But  thrust  them  forth  still  as  they  w^exed  old : 
And  on  her  head  she  wore  a  tyre^  of  gold, 
Adornd  with  gemmes  and  owches  ^  wondrous  fayre. 
Whose  passing  price  uneath^  was  to  be  told: 
And  by  her  syde  there  sate  a  gentle  payi'e 

Of  turtle  doves,  she  sitting  in  an  y  vory  chayre. 

32  The  Knight  and  Una  entring  fayre  her  greet, 
And  bid  her  ioy  of  that  her  happy  brood  ; 
Who  them  requites  witli  court'sies  seeming  meet, 
And  entertaynes  with  friendly  chearefuU  mood. 
Then  Una  her  besought,  to  be  so  good 
As  in  her  vertuous  rules  to  schoole  her  Knight, 
Now  after  all  his  torment  well  withstood 

1  Tijre,  diadem.  8  Uneath,  hardly. 

2  C^ttjc/tes,  jewels. 


XXX.  9. —  Yellow  robes.]     Charissa  is  dressed  in  yellow  to  ex 
press  her  married  state. 

"  There  let  Hymen  oft  appear 
In  snjf'nm  robe,  witli  taper  clear."  —  JIilton.    IT. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO   X.  215 

In  that  sad  house  of  Penaunce,  where  his  spright 
Had  past  the  paines  of  hell  and  long-enduring  night. 

33  She  was  right  ioyious  of  her  iust  request ; 
And,  taking  by  the  hand  that  Faeries  sonne, 
Gan  him  instruct  in  everie  good  behest. 

Of  love  ;  and  righteousnes  ;  and  well  to  donne* ; 
And  wrath  and  hatred  warely  to  shonne, 
That  drew  on  men  Gods  hatred  and  his  wrath, 
And  many  soules  in  dolours  -  had  fordonne  ^  : 
In  which  when  him  she  well  instructed  hath, 
From  thence  to  heaven  she  teacheth  him  the  ready 
path. 

34  Wherein  his  weaker  wandring  steps  to  guyde. 
An  auncient  matrone  she  to  her  does  call. 
Whose  sober  lookes  her  wisedome  Avell  descry de^; 
Her  name  was  Mercy ;  well  knowne  over-all^ 
To  be  both  gratious  and  eke  liberall : 

To  whom  the  careful!  charge  of  him  she  gave, 
To  leade  aright,  that  he  should  never  fall 
In  all  his  Avaies  through  this  wide  worldes  wave  ; 
That  Mercy  in  the  end  his  righteous  soule  might  save 

35  The  godly  Matrone  by  the  hand  him  beares 
Forth  from  her  presence,  by  a  narrow  way, 
Scattred  with  bushy  thornes  and  ragged  breares, 
Which  still  before  him  she  remov'd  away. 
That  nothing  might  his  ready  passage  stay : 

1  Well  to  donne,  well-doing.  "  Descryde,  made  known. 

«  Dolours,  gi-iefs.  ^  Over-ull,  everywhere. 

8  Fordonne,  undone.  «  Breares.  briers. 


G 


216  THE    FAEUIE    QUEEXE. 

And  ever  when  his  feet  encombred  were, 
Or  gan  to  shrinke,  or  from  the  right  to  stray, 
She  held  him  fast,  and  firmely  did  upbeare ; 
As  carefull  nourse  her  child  from  falling  oft  does 
reare. 

36  Eftsoones  unto  an  holy  Hospitall, 

That  was  foreby  ^  the  way,  she  did  him  bring ; 
In  which  seven  Bead-men,^  that  had  vowed  all 
Their  life  to  service  of  hish  heavens  Kins:, 
Did  spend  their  dales  in  doing  godly  thing : 
Their  gates  to  all  were  open  evermore. 
That  by  the  wearie  way  were  traveiling ; 
And.  one  sate  way  ting  ever  them  before. 
To  call  in  commers-by,  that  needy  wei'e  and  pore. 

37  The  First  of  them,  that  eldest  was  and  best, 
Of  all  the  house  had  charge  and  governement, 
As  guardian  and  steward  of  the  rest : 

His  office  was  to  give  entertainement 
And  lodging  unto  all  that  came  and  went ; 
Not  unto  such  as  could  him  feast  againe. 
And  double  quite  ^  for  that  he  on  them  spent ; 
But  such  as  want  of  harbour*  did  constraine : 
Those  for  Gods  sake  his  dewty  was  to  entertaine. 

1  Foreby,  near  to.  3  Quite,  requite. 

2  Bead-men,  men  devoted  to  prayer.  *  JJat-boui;  lodging. 


XXXVI.  3.  —  Seven  Bead-men.]  In  these  seven  Bead-men 
Spenser  represents  the  seven  offices  or  functions  of  Charity,  ac- 
cording totlie  division  of  tlie  Sclioolmen. 


liOOK    I.       CANTO    X.  217 

)6  The  Second  was  as  almner^  of  the  place : 
His  office  was  the  hungry  for  to  feed, 
And  thrlsty^  give  to  drin'se  ;  a  worke  of  grace  : 
He  feard  not  once  himselfe  to  be  in  need, 
Ne  car'd  to  hoord  for  those  whom  he  did  breede : 
The  grace  of  God  he  layd  up  still  in  store, 
Which  as  a  stocke  he  left  unto  his  seede : 
He  had  enough  ;  what  need  him  care  for  more  ? 

And  had  he  lesse,  yet  some  he  would  give  to  the  pore. 

39  The  Third  had  of  their  wardrobe  custody, 

In  which  were  not  rich  tyi'es,^  nor  garments  gay, 

The  plumes  of  pride,  and  winges  of  vanity, 

But  clothes  meet  to  keepe  keene  cold  away, 

And  naked  nature  seemely  to  aray  ; 

With  which  bare  wretched  wights  he  dayly  clad^ 

The  images  of  God  in  earthly  clay ; 

And,  if  that  no  spare  clothes  to  give  he  had. 

His  owne  cote  he  would  cut,  and  it  distribute  glad. 

w  The  Fourth  appointed  by  his  office  was 
Poore  prisoners  to  relieve  with  gratious  ayd. 
And  captives  to  redeeme  with  price  of  bras 
From  Turkes  and  Sarazins,  which  them  had  stayd  ; 
And  though  they^  faulty  were,  yet  well  he  wayd. 
That  God  to  us  forgiveth  every  howre 
Much  more  then  that  why  they  in  bands  were  layd ; 
And  He,  that  harrowd^  hell  with  heavie  stowre,® 

The  faulty  soules  from  thence  brought  to  his  heavenly 
bowre. 

1  Almner,  almoner.  •*  I-  e.  the  prisoners. 

2  Tlirlsty,  thirsty.  ^  fl'irrowd,  riivap:e(l,  subdued. 

3  7)/ref.-,  attires."  ^  Sloiore,  pain  (to  liimself). 


218  THE    FAKKIE    QLKKXK. 

41  The  Fift  had  charge  sick  persons  to  attend, 
And  comfort  those  in  point  of  death  which  lay ; 
For  them  most  needeth  comfort  in  the  end, 
When  Sin,  and  Hell,  and  Death  doe  most  dismay 
The  feeble  soule  departing  hence  away. 

All  is  but  lost,  that  living  we  bestow, 
If  not  well  ended  at  our  dying  day. 
O  man  !  have  mind  of  that  last  bitter  throw ^: 
For  as  the  tree  does  fall,  so  lyes  it  ever  low. 

42  The  Sixt  had  charge  of  them  now  being  dead, 
In  seemely  sort  their  corses  to  engrave, 

And  deck  with  dainty  flowres  their  brydall  bed. 
That  to  their  heavenly  spouse  both  sweet  and  brave 
They  might  appeare,  when  he  their  soules  shall 

save. 
The  wondrous  workmanship  of  Gods  owne  mould. 
Whose  face  He  made  all  beastes  to  feare,  and  gave 
All  in  his  hand,  even  dead  we  honour  should. 
Ah,  dearest  God,  me  graunt,  I  dead  be  not  defould'^! 

43  The  Seventh,  now  after  death  and  buriall  done, 
Had  charge  the  tender  orphans  of  the  dead 
And  wydowes  ayd,  least  they  should  be  undone  : 
In  face  of  iudgement  he  their  right  would  plead, 
Ne  ought  the  powre  of  mighty  men  did  dread 
In  their  defence  ;  nor  would  for  gold  or  fee 

Be  wonne  their  rightfuU  causes  downe  to  tread : 
And,  when  they  stood  in  most  necessitee. 
He  did  supply  their  want,  and  gave  them  ever  free. 

1  Throw,  throe.  2  DefouU,  treated  with  indignity. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    X.  219 

41  There  when  the  Elfin  Knight  arrived  was, 
The  fir^t  and  cliiefest  of  the  seven,  whose  care 
Was  guests  to  welcome,  towardes  him  did  pas ; 
Where  seeing  Mercie,  that  his  steps  upbare 
And  alwaies  led,  to  her  with  reverence  rare 
He  humbly  louted^  in  meeke  lowlinesse, 
And  seemely  welcome  for  her  did  prepare : 
For  of  their  order  she  was  Patronesse, 

Albe^  Charissa  were  their  chiefest  Founderesse. 

43  There  she  awhile  him  stayes,  himselfe  to  rest, 
That  to  the  rest  more  liable  he  might  bee  : 
During  which  time,  in  every  good  behest, 
And  godly  worke  of  almes  and  cliaritee, 
Shee  him  instructed  with  great  industree. 
Shortly  therein  so  perfect  he  became, 
That,  from  the  first  unto  the  last  degree, 
His  mortall  life  he  learned  had  to  frame 

In  holy  righteousnesse,  without  rebuke  or  blame. 

46  Thence  forward  by  that  painfull  way  they  pas 
Forth  to  an  hill,  that  was  both  steepe  and  hy ; 
On  top  whereof  a  sacred  chappell  was, 
And  eke  a  litle  hermitage  thei-eby, 
Wherein  an  aged  holy  man  did  lie, 
That  day  and  night  said  his  devotion, 
Ne  other  worldly  busines  did  apply  ' : 
His  name  was  hevenly  Contemplation  ; 

Of  God  and  goodnes  was  his  meditation. 

1  Lmited,  bowed.  ^  -Apply,  Pb'.  a"end  to 

Albe,  although. 


220  THE    FAEKIE    QUEEXE. 

47  Great  grace  that  old  man  to  him  given  had ; 
For  God  he  often  saw  from  heavens  hight : 
AlP  were  his  earthly  eien  both  blunt  and  bad, 
And  through  great  age  had  lost  their  kindly  sight, 
Yet  wondrous  quick  and  persaunt  ^  was  his  spright, 
As  eagles  eie,  that  can  behold  the  sunne. 
That  hill  they  scale  with  all  their  powre  and  might, 
That  his  fraile  tliiglies,  nigh  weary  and  fordonne,* 

Gau  faile  ;  but,  by  her  helpe,  the  top  at  last  he  wonne. 

^  There  they  doe  rinde  that  godly  aged  Sire, 
With  snowy  lockes  adowne  his  shoulders  shed ; 
As  hoary  frost  with  spangles  doth  attire 
The  mossy  braunches  of  an  oke  halfe  ded. 
Each  bone  might  through  his  body  well  be  red,* 
And  every  sinew  seene,  through  his  long  fast : 
For  nought  he  car'd  his  carcas  long  unfed ; 
His  mind  was  full  of  spirituall  repast, 

And  pyn'd^  his  flesh  to  keepe  his  body  low  and  chast. 

49  Who,  when  these  two  approching  he  aspide, 
At  their  fii'st  presence  grew  agrieved  sore, 
That  forst  liim  lay  his  hevenly  thoughts  aside ; 
And  had  he  not  that  Dame  respected  more,' 
Whom  highly  he  did  reverence  and  adore. 
He  would  not  once  have  moved  for  the  Knight. 
They  him  saluted,  standing  far  afore  ; 
Who,  well  them  greeting,  humbly  did  requight^ 

And  asked,  to  what  end  they  clomb  that  tedious  hight 

1  All,  although.  *  Red,  discerned. 

2  Pcrsnnnl,  piercing.  6  Pyn'd,  wasted. 
8  Fonhnne,  exhausted. 

6  I.  e.  too  niucli  to  allow  of  his  sitting  still. 


BOOK    I.      CANTO    X.  221 

60  "What  end,"  quoth  she,  "should  cause  us  take  such 
paine, 
But  that  same  end,  which  every  living  wio-ht 
Should  make  his  marke,  high  heaven  to  attaine  ? 
Is  not  from  hence  the  way,  that  leadeth  right 
To  that  most  glorious  house,  that  glistreth  bright 
With  burning  starres  and  everliving  fire, 
Whereof  the  keies  are  to  thy  hand  behi^ht^ 
By  wise  Fidelia  ?     Shee  doth  thee  require, 
To  shew  it  to  this  knight,  according ^  his  desire." 

51  "  Thrise  happy  man,"  said  then  the  Father  grave, 
"  Whose  staggering  steps  thy  steady  hand  doth  lead. 

And  shewes  the  way  his  sinfull  soule  to  save ! 
Who  better  can  the  way  to  heaven  aread^ 
Then  *  thou  thyselfe,  that  was  both  borne  and  bred 
In  hevenly  throne,  where  thousand  angels  shine  ? 
Thou  doest  the  praiers  of  the  righteous  sead 
Present  before  the  Maiesty  Divine, 
And  His  avenging  wrath  to  clemency  incline. 

52  "Yet,  since  thou  bidst,  thy  pleasure  shal  be  donne. 
Then  come,  thou  man  of  earth,  and  see  the  way, 
That  never  yet  was  scene  of  Faries  sonne ; 
That  never  leads  the  traveller  astray, 

But,  after  labors  long  and  sad  delay, 

1  Behiyht,  intrusted.  '  Aread,  show. 

2  According,  according  to.  *  Then,  than. 

LII.  2.     Thou  man  of  earth.']     Apparently  an  allusion  to  the 
Knight's  name,  George,  which  signifies  a  tiller  of  the  earth. 
VOL    i.  20 


222  Till-:    FAERIE    QL'EKNE. 

Brings  them*  to  iojous  rest  and  endlesse  blis. 
But  first  thou  must  a  season  fast  and  pray, 
Till  from  her  bands  the  spright  assoiled  ^  is, 
And  have  her  strength  recur'd'^  from  fraile  intirmitis." 

53  That  done,  he  leads  him  to  the  highest  Mount ; 
Such  one  as  that  same  mighty  Man  of  God 
That  blood-red  billowes  like  a  walled  front 
On  either  side  disparted  with  his  rod, 
Till  that  his  army  dry-foot  through  them  yod,^ 
Dwelt  forty  dales  upon ;  where,  writt  in  stone 
With  bloody  letters  by  the  hand  of  God, 
The  bitter  doonie  of  death  and  balefull  mone 

He  did  receive,  whiles  iiashing  fire  about  him  shone : 

64  Or  like  that  sacred  hill,  whose  head  full  hie, 
Adornd  with  fruitfull  olives  all  arownd. 
Is,  as  it  Avere  for  endlesse  memory 
Of  that  deare  Lord  who  oft  thereon  was  fownd, 
For  ever  with  a  flowring  gii-lond  crownd  : 
Or  like  that  pleasaunt  mount,  that  is  for  ay 
Through  famous  poets  verse  each  where*  renownd, 
On  which  the  thrise  three  learned  Ladies  play 

Their  hevenly  notes,  and  make  full  many  a  lovely  lay. 

^3  From  thence,  far  off  he  unto  him  did  shew 
A  litle  path,  that  was  both  steepe  and  long. 
Which  to  a  goodly  citty  led  his  vew  ; 

1  Assoiled,  absolved.  8  I'oJ^  went. 

2  Recur^d,  recovered.  *  Each  where,  everywhere. 

*  Them  is  probably  a  misprint  for  him. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    X.  223 


Whose  wals  and  towres  were  builded  high  and 


D 


Strong 


Of  perle  and  precious  stone,  that  earthly  tong 
Cannot  describe,  nor  wit  of  man  can  tell ; 
Too  high  a  ditty  ^  for  my  simple  song ! 
The  Citty  of  the  Greate  King  hight  it  well, 
\Ylierein  eternall  peace  and  happinesse  doth  dwell. 

56  As  he  thereon  stood  gazing,  he  might  see 
The  blessed  angels  to  and  fro  descend 
From  highest  heven  in  gladsome  companee. 
And  with  great  ioy  into  that  citty  wend, 
As  commonly  '^  as  frend  does  with  his  frend. 
Whereat  he  wondred  much,  and  gan  enquere, 
What  stately  building  durst  so  high  extend 
Her  lofty  towres  unto  the  starry  sphere, 

And  what  unknoweu  nation  there  empeopled  were. 

s!  "Faire  Knight,"  quoth  he,  "Hierusalem  that  is. 
The  New  Hierusalem,  that  God  has  built 
For  those  to  dwell  in  that  are  chosen  his, 
His  chosen  people  purg'd  from  sinful  guilt 
With  pretious  blood,  which  cruelly  was  spilt 
On  cursed  tree,  of  that  unspotted  Lam, 
That  for  the  sinnes  of  al  the  world  was  kilt: 
Now  are  they  saints  all  in  that  citty  sam,* 

More  dear  unto  their  God  then  younglings  to  their 
dam." 


1  Too  high  a  ditty,  too  lofty  a  theme. 

2  Commonly,  familiarly. 

»  EmpeoiAtd,  collected  together  as  a  people. 
*  Sam,  together. 


^24  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

58  '•  Till  now,"  said  then  the  Knight,  "  I  weened  well, 
That  great  Cleopolis  where  I  have  beene. 
In  which  that  fairest  Fary  Queene  doth  dwell, 
The  fairest  citty  was  that  might  be  scene  ; 
And  that  bright  towre,  all  built  of  christall  clene,^ 
Panthea,  seemd  the  brightest  thing  that  was : 
But  now  by  proofe  all  otherwise  I  weene ; 
For  this  gi-eat  citty  that  does  far  surpas, 

And  this  bright  angels  towre  quite  dims  that  towrs 
of  glas." 

69  "  Most  trew,"  then  said  the  holy  aged  man  ; 
"  Yet  is  Cleopolis,  for  earthly  frame, 
The  fairest  peece  ^  that  eie  beholden  can  ; 
And  well  beseemes  all  knights  of  noble  name, 
That  covett  in  th'  iramortall  booke  of  fame 
To  be  eternized,  that  same  to  haunt, 
And  doen  their  service  to  that  soveraigne  Dame, 
That  glory  does  to  them  for  guerdon  graunt  : 

For  she  is  hevenly  borne,  and  heaven  may  iustly  vaunt." 

60  "  And  thou,  faire  ymp,*  sprong  out  from  English  race, 
How  ever  now  accompted  Eltins  sonne, 
Well  worthy  doest  thy  service  for  her  grace. 
To  aide  a  virgin  desolate  foredonne.^ 
But  when  thou  famous  victory  hast  wonne, 
And  high  emongst  all  knights  hast  hong  thy  shield, 
Thenceforth  the  suitt°  of  earthly  conquest  shonne, 

1  Clene,  pure.  6  Foredonne,  undone. 

2  Peeve,  structure.  6  Suitt,  pursuit. 
8  1.  e.  may  Justly  boast  of  a  heavenly  origin. 

*  Yvip,  youth. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    X.  225 

And  wash  thy  hands  from  guilt  of  bloody  field : 
For  blood  can  nought  but  sin,  and  wars  but  sorrows, 
yield. 

61  "  Then  seek  this  path  that  I  to  thee  presage, 
Which  after  all  to  heaven  shall  thee  send  ; 
Then  peaceably  thy  painefuU  pilgrimage 
To  yonder  same  Hierusalen  doe  bend, 
Where  is  for  thee  ordaind  a  blessed  end : 

For  thou  eraongst  those  saints,  whom  thou  doest  see, 
Shalt  be  a  saint,  and  thine  owne  nations  frend 
And  patrone :  Thou  Saint  George  shalt  called  bee. 
Saint  George  of  mery  England,  the  signe  of  vic- 
toree." 

62  "  Unworthy  wretch,"  quoth  he,  "  of  so  great  grace, 
How  dare  I  thinke  such  glory  to  attaine ! " 

"  These,  that  have  it  attaynd,  were  in  like  cace, 
As  wretched  men,  and  hved  ha  Uke  paine."  * 
"  But  deeds  of  armes  must  I  at  last  be  faine 
And  ladies  love  to  leave,  so  dearely  bought  ?  " 
"  What  need  of  armes,  where  peace  doth  ay  re- 
maine," 


*  2d  Ed.    Quoth  he,  "  as  wretched,  and  liv'd  in  Uke  paiue." 

LXI.  9.  —  The  assistance  St.  George  was  said  to  have  rendered 
to  Godfrey  of  Boulogne  in  the  first  Crusade  "  made  his  name  as  a 
military  saint  foraous  throughout  Europe.  The  particular  venera- 
tion paid  to  him  in  England  dates  from  the  time  of  Richard  1., 
who,  in  the  wars  of  Palestine,  placed  himself  and  his  army  un- 
der the  especial  protection  of  St.  George.  In  122:i  his  feast  was 
ordered  to  be  kept  as  a  holiday  tlnoughout  England;  and  the  m- 
stitution  of  the  Order  of  the  Garter,  in  1330,  seems  to  have  com- 
pleted his  inauguration  as  our  patron  saint."  — ilKS.  Jameso-n. 


226  THE    FA.ERIE    QUEENE. 

Said  he,  "  and  bitter  battailes  all  are  fouajhtr* 
As  for  loose  loves,  they  are  vaine,  and  vanish  into 
nought." 

03  "  O  let  me  not,"  quoth  he,  "  then  turne  againe 
Backe  to  the  world,  whose  ioyes  so  fruitlesse  are ; 
But  let  rae  heare  for  aie  in  peace  remaine, 
Or  streightway  on  that  last  long  voiage  fare, 
That  nothing  may  my  present  hope  em  pare." 
"  That  may  not  be,"  said  he,  "  ne  maist  thou  yitt 
Forgoe  that  royal  Maides  bequeathed  care, 
Who  did  her  cause  into  thy  hand  committ. 

Till  from  her  cursed  foe  thou  have  her  freely  quitt."  ^ 

64  "  Then  shall  I  soone,"  quoth  he,  "  so  God  rae  grace, 
Abett  that  Virgins  cause  disconsolate, 

And  shortly  back  returne  unto  this  place. 
To  walke  this  way  in  pilgrims  poore  estate. 
But  now  aread,"  old  Father,  why  of  late 
Didst  thou  behight^  me  borne  of  English  blood, 
Whom  all  a  Faeries  sonne  doen  nominate  'i" 
"  That  word  shall  I,"  said  he,  "  avouchen  good, 
Sith*  to  thee  is  unknowne  the  cradle  of  thy  brood. 

65  "  For  well  I  wote  thou  springst  from  ancient  race 
Of  Saxon  kinges,  that  have  with  mightie  hand, 
And  many  bloody  battailes  fought  in  place, 
High  reard  tlieir  royall  throne  in  Britans  land, 

1  Quitt,  delivered.  8  Behighl,  denominate. 

2  Aread,  declare.  <  Sith,  since. 

*  2d  Ed.  "  and  battailes  none  are  to  be  fought. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    X.  227 

And  vanquisht  them,  unable  to  withstand : 
From  thence  a  Faery  thee  unvveeting^  reft, 
There  as  thou  slepst  in  tender  swadhng  band, 
And  her  base  Eltin  brood  there  for  tliee  left : 
Such,  men  do  chaungelings  call,  so  chaungd  by  Faei'ies 
theft. 

66  "  Thence  she  thee  brought  into  this  Faery  load, 
And  in  an  heaped  furrow  did  thee  hyde ; 
Where  thee  a  ploughman  all  unweeting  fond, 
As  he  his  toylesome  teme  that  way  did  guyde, 
And  bi'ought  thee  up  in  ploughmans  state  to  byde, 
Whereof  Georgos  he  thee  gave  to  name  ; 

Till  prickt  with  courage,  and  thy  forces  pryde. 
To  Fary  court  thou  cam'st  to  seeke  for  fame. 
And  prove  thy  puissaunt  armes,  as  seemes  thee  best 
became." 

67  "  O  holy  Sire,"  quoth  he,  "  how  shall  I  quight  - 
The  many  favours  I  with  thee  have  fownd, 
That  hast  my  name  and  nation  redd*  aright, 
And  taught  the  way  that  does  to  heaven  bound ^!" 
This  saide,  adowne  he  looked  to  the  grownd 

To  have  returnd,  but  dazed  were  his  eyne 

1  Unioeeting,  unknowuig.  ^  Redd,  declared. 

2  Quight,  repay.  *  Bownd,  lead. 


LXVI.  Q.— Georgos.]  This  is  a  Greek  word,  signifying  a 
farmer.  Spenser  has  here  introduced  the  story  of  Tages,  who  was 
found  bv  a  farmer  in  Etruria,  under  a  clod  which  his  plough  had 
turned  up.  The  rustic  education  of  the  Red-cross  Knight  ac- 
counts for  Spenser's  calling  him  a  "  clownish  young  man  -  in  his 
letter  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  prefixed  to  the  poem.   H. 


228  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Through   passing  brightnes,  which  did  quite  cou- 

found 
His  feeble  sence,  and  too  exceeding  shynt.^ 
So  darke  are  earthly  thinges  compard  to  things  divine ! 

6s  At  last,  whenas  himselfe  he  gan  to  fynd, 
To  Una  back  he  cast^  him  to  retyre ; 
Who  him  awaited  still  with  pensive  mynd. 
Great  thankes,  and  goodly  meed,  to  that  good  syre 
He  thens  departing  gave  for  his  paynes  hyre.^ 
So  came  to  Una,  who  him  ioyd  to  see : 
And,  after  litle  rest,  gan  him  desyre 
Of  her  adventure  myndfull  for  to  bee. 

So  leave  they  take  of  Coelia  and  her  daughters  three. 

1  Shyvt,  light.  3  Paynes  hyre,  recompense  for  his  services. 

^  Cast,  bethought. 


BOOK    I.       CAMU    M  22J> 


CANTO   XI. 


The  Knight  with  that  old  Dragon  fights 

Two  dayes  incessantly: 
The  tliird,  him  overthrowes ;  and  gayns 

Most  glorious  victory. 


1  High  time  now  gan  it  wex  for  Una  fayre 
To"  thinke  of  those  her  captive  parents  deare. 
And  their  forwasted^  kingdom  to  repayre : 
Whereto  whenas  they  now  approched  neare, 
With  hartie  wordes  her  Knight  she  gan  to  cheare. 
And  in  her  modest  maner  thus  bespake : 

"  Deare  Knight,  as  deare  as  ever  knight  was  deare, 
That  all  these  sorrowes  suffer  for  my  sake, 
High  heven  behold  the  tedious  loyle,  ye  for  me  take  ! 

2  "  Now  are  we  come  unto  my  native  soyle, 
And  to  the  place  where  all  our  perilles  dwell ; 
Here  hauntes  that  Feend,  and  does  his  dayly  spoyle  ; 
Therefore  henceforth  bee  at  your  keeping  well, 
And  ever  ready  for  your  foeman  fell : 

The  sparke  of  noble  corage  now  awake. 
And  strive  your  excellent  selfe  to  excell : 
That  shall  ye  evermore  renowmed  make 
Above  all  knights  on  earth,  that  batteill  undertake." 

1  Forwasted,  much  wasted. 


230  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

s*  And  pointing  forth,  "  Lo  !  yonder  is,"  said  she, 
"  The  brasen  towre,  in  which  my  parents  deare 
For  dread  of  that  huge  Feend  emprisond  be  ; 
Whom  I  from  far  see  on  the  walles  appeare, 
Whose  sight  my  feeble  soule  doth  greatly  cheare  ; 
And  on  the  top  of  all  I  do  espye 
The  watchman  wayting  tydings  glad  to  heare  ; 
That,  O  my  Parents,  might  I  happily 

Unto  you  bring,  to  ease  you  of  your  misery  !  " 

4  With  that  they  heard  a  roaring  hideous  sownd. 
That  all  the  ayre  with  terror  filled  wyde. 

And  seemd  uneath  ^  to  shake  the  stedfast  ground . 
Eftsoones^  that  dreadfuU  Dragon  they  espyde, 
Where  stretcht  he  lay  upon  the  sunny  side 
Of  a  great  hill,  himselfe  like  a  great  hill : 
But,  all  so  soone  as  he  from  far  descryde 
Those  glistring  armes  that  heven  with  light  did  fill, 
He  rousd  himselfe  full  blyth,  and  hastned  them  untill.^ 

5  Then  badd  the  Knight  his  Lady  yede*  aloof, 
And  to  an  hill  herselfe  withdraw  asyde  ; 

From  whence  she  might  behold  that  battailles  proof. 
And  eke  be  safe  from  daunger  far  descryde : 
She  him  obayd,  and  turnd  a  litle  wyde.^  — 
Now,  0  thou  sacred  Muse,  most  learned  Dame, 


1  Uneath,  uneasily;  (perhaps)  almost  (i.  e.  hardly). 

*  Fflaoones,  immediately.  ■*  Yede,  go. 

3  Ifiilill,  unto.  6  IVyde,  out  of  the  way. 


*  This  stanza  is  first  found  in  the  Second  Edition. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    XI.  231 

Fayre  ytnpe  ^  of  Phoebus  and  his  aged  bryde, 
The  nourse  of  time  and  everlasting  fame. 
That  warlike  handes  ennoblest  with  immortall  name: 

6  O,  gently  come  into  my  feeble  brest, 

Come  gently  ;  but  not  with  that  mightie  rage, 
Wherewith  the  martiall  troupes  thou  doest  infest, 
And  hartes  of  great  heroes  doest  enrage, 
That  nought  their  kindled  corage  may  aswage: 
Soone  as  thy  dreadfuU  trompe  begins  to  sownd, 
The  god  of  warre  with  his  fiers  equipage 
Thou  doest  awake,  sleepe  never  he  so  sownd ; 
And  scared  nations  doest  with  horror  sterne  astownd. 

7  Fayre  goddesse,  lay  that  furious  fitt^  asyde, 
Till  I  of  warres  and  bloody  Mars  doe  sing. 
And  Bryton  fieldes  with  Sarazin  blood  bedyde, 
Twixt  that  great  Faery  Queene  and  Paynim  King, 
That  with  their  horror  heven  and  earth  did  ring ; 
A  worke  of  labour  long,  and  endlesse  prayse : 

1  Ympe,  child.  2  pm^  mood. 

V.  7.  The  "  aged  bryde  "  is  Mnemosyne,  or  Memory,  who,  accord- 
ing to  all  accounts,  was  tl'e  motlier  of  the  Muses.  Spenser  here 
and  in  another  place  makes  Pho-bus  their  father,  but  elsewhere  he 
makes  them  daughters  of  Jupiter,  which  is  the  usual  genealogy. 

VII.  2.  —  Till  I  of  warres,  &c.]  Spenser  once  or  twice  gives 
intimation  of  a  purpose  of  commemorating  tlie  wars  between  the 
Faerie  Queene  and  the  Paynim  King,  that  is,  Queen  Elizabeth  and 
Philip  of  Spain.  See  the  vei-ses  to  the  Earl  of  Essex,  prefixed  to 
this  poem ;  also  the  eighteenth  stanza  of  the  next  canto.  This  in- 
tention, however,  was  never  fully  carried  out:  all  that  the  poot 
wrote  upon  the  subject  will  be  found  in  the  last  cantos  of  the 
Fifth  Book. 


232  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  now  awhile  lett  downe  that  haughtie^  string, 
And  to  my  tunes  thy  second  tenor  rayse, 
That  I  this  man  of  God  his  godly  armes  may  blaze.^ 

8  By  this,  the  dreadfull  Beast  drew  nigh  to  hand, 
Halfe  flying  and  halfe  footing  in  his  haste, 
That  with  his  largenesse  measured  much  land, 
And  made  wide  shadow  under  his  huge  waste ; 
As  mountaine  doth  the  valley  overcaste. 
Approching  nigh,  he  reared  high  afore 

His  body  monstrous,  horrible,  and  vaste ; 
Which,  to  increase  his  wondrous  greatnes  more, 
Was  swoln  with  wrath  and  poyson,  and  with  bloody  gore : 

9  And  over,  all  with  brasen  scales  was  armd, 
Like  plated  cote  of  Steele,  so  couched  neare* 
That  nought  mote  perce ;  ne  might  his  corse  bee 

harmd 
With  dint  of  swerd,  nor  push  of  pointed  speare  : 
Which,^  as  an  eagle,  seeing  pray  appeare. 
His  aery  plumes  doth  rouze,  full  rudely  dight,* 
So  shaked  he,  that  horror  was  to  heai'e  : 
For,  as  the  clashing  of  an  armor  bright, 
Such  noyse  his  rouzed  scales  did  send  unto  the  Knight 

10  His  flaggy^  winges,  when  forth  he  did  display. 
Were  like  two  sayles,  in  which  the  hollow  wynd 
Is  gathered  full,  and  worketh  speedy  way  : 


1  Hauf/htie,  high-tuned.  ^  I.  e.  scales. 

2  Blaze,  celebrate.  ^  Rudely  dujlit,  rouglily  covered 
8  Cfruched  neare,  laid  close.  o  Flaggy,  hanging  loosely. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    XI.  233 

And  eke  the  pennes  ^  that  did  his  pineons  bynd, 
"Were  like  mayne-yardes  with  flying  canvas  lynd ; 
With  which  whenas  him  hst  the  ayre  to  beat, 
And  there  by  force  unwonted  passage  fynd, 
The  clowdes  before  him  fledd  for  terror  great, 
And  all  the  hevens  stood  still  amazed  with  his  threat. 

u  His  huge  long  tayle,  wownd  up  in  hundred  foldes, 
Does  overspred  his  long  bras-scaly  back, 
"Whose  wreathed  boughtes^  when  ever  he  unfoldes, 
And  thick-entangled  knots  adown  does  slack, 
Bespotted  as  with  shieldes  of  red  and  blacke, 
It  sweepeth  all  the  land  behind  him  farre. 
And  of  three  furlongs  does  but  litle  lacke  ; 
And  at  the  point  two  stinges  infixed  arre, 

Both  deadly  sharp,  that  sharpest  Steele  exceeden  farr. 

12  But  stinges  and  sharpest  Steele  did  far  exceed' 
The  sharpnesse  of  his  cruel  rending  clawes  : 
Dead  was  it  sure,  as  sure  as  death  indeed, 
"What  ever  thing  does  touch  his  ravenous  pawes, 
Or  what  within  his  reach  he  ever  drawes. 
But  his  most  hideous  head  my  tongue  to  tell 
Does  tremble ;  for  his  deepe  devouring  iawes 
Wyde  gaped,  like  the  griesly  mouth  of  hell, 

Through  which  into  his  darke  abysse  all  ravin*  fell. 

J3  And,  that  more  wondrous  was,  in  either  iaw 
Three  ranckes  of  yron  teeth  enraunged  were, 

'  Pennes,  featliers.         »  I.  e.  his  clmos  were  sharper  than  steel. 
2  Bwiyhtes,  folds.  ■*  Ravin,  prey. 


234  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

In  which  yett  trickhng  blood,  and  gobbets  raw, 
Of  late  devoured  bodies  did  appeare  ; 
That  sight  thereof  bredd  cold  congealed  feare  : 
Which  to  increase,  and  all  atonce  to  kill, 
A  cloud  of  sraoothering  smoke,  and  sulphure  seare,^ 
Out  of  his  stinking  gorge  ^  forth  steemed  still, 
That  all  the  ayre  about  with  smoke  and  stench  did  fill. 

14  His  blazing  eyes,  like  two  bright  shining  shieldes, 
Did  burne  with  wrath,  and  sparkled  living  fyre  : 
As  two  broad  beacons,  sett  in  open  fieldes, 
Send  forth  their  flames  far  of  to  every  shyre, 
And  warning  give,  that  eniraies  conspyre 
With  fire  and  sword  the  region  to  invade  ; 
So  flam'd  his  eyne  with  rage  and  rancorous  yre : 
But  far  within,  as  in  a  hollow  glade, 

Those  glaring  lampes  were  sett,  that  made  a  dreadfull 
shade. 

16  So  dreadfully  he  towardes  hira  did  pas, 
Forelifting  up  aloft  his  speckled  brest, 
And  often  bounding  on  the  brused  gras, 
As  for  great  ioyaunce  of  his  new  come  guest. 
Eftsoones  he  gan  advaunce  his  haughty  crest ; 
As  chaufFed^  bore  his  bristles  doth  upreare  ; 
And  shoke  his  scales  to  battaile  ready  drest,* 
(That  made  the  Redcrosse  Knight  nigh  quake  for 
feare,) 

As  bidding  bold  defyaunce  to  his  foeman  neare, 

1  Seare,  parching.  *  Chnvff'ed,  chafed. 

"  Gwge,  throat.  *  Drest,  prepared. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    XI.  235 

16  The  Knight  gan  fayrely  couch  his  steady  spearo, 
And  lierselv  ran  at  him  with  rigorous  might: 
The  pointed  Steele,  arriving  rudely  theare, 

His  harder  hyde  would  nether  perce  nor  bight. 
But,  glauncing  by,  fborth  passed  forward  right : 
Yet,  sore  amoved  with  so  puissaunt  push, 
The  wrathfuU  Beast  about  him  turned  light, 
And  him  so  rudely,  passing  by,  did  brush 
With  his  long  tayle,  that  horse  and  man  to  ground 
did  rush.^ 

17  Both  horse  and  man  up  lightly  rose  againe, 
And  fresh  encounter  towardes  him  addrest : 
But  th'  ydle  stroke  yet  backe  recoyld  in  vaine, 
And  found  no  place  his  deadly  point  to  rest. 
Exceeding  rage  enflam'd  the  furious  Beast, 
To  be  avenged  of  so  great  despight ; 

For  never  felt  his  imperceable  brest 
So  wondrous  force  from  hand  of  living  wight  ; 
Yet  had  he  prov'd  the  powre  of  many  a  puissant 
knififht. 


'&* 


js  Then,  with  his  waving  wings  displayed  wyde, 
Himselfe  up  high  he  lifted  from  the  ground, 
And  with  strong  flight  did  forcibly  divyde 
The  yielding  ayre,  which  nigh  too  feeble  found 
Her  flitting^  parts,  and  element  unsound, 
To  beare  so  great  a  weight :  He,  cutting  way 
With  his  broad  sayles,  about  him  soared  round ; 
At  last,  low  stouping  with  unweldy  sway, 

Snatcht  up  both  horse  and  man,  to  beare  them  quite 
away. 
1  Rush,  fall.  2  Flitting,  yielding  or  liRlit. 


236  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

19  Long  he  them  bore  above  the  subject^  plaine, 
So  far  as  ewghen  ^  bow  a  shaft  may  send ; 

Till  struggling  strong  did  him  at  last  constraine 
To  let  them  downe  before  his  flightes  end : 
As  hagard  ^  hauke,  presuming  to  contend 
With  hardy  fowle  above  his  hable*  might, 
His  wearie  pounces^  all  in  vaine  doth  spend 
To  trusse  ^  the  pray  too  heavy  for  his  flight ; 
Which,  coraming  down  to  ground,  does  free  itselfe  by 
fight. 

20  He  so  disseized ''  of  his  gryping  grosse,* 

The  Knight  his  thrillant^  speare  againe  assayd 
In  his  bras-plated  body  to  embosse,^° 
And  three  mens  strength  unto  the  stroake  he  layd ; 
Wherewith  the  stifFe  beame  quaked,  as  affrayd, 
And  glauncing  from  his  scaly  necke  did  glyde 
Close  under  his  left  wing,  then  broad  displayd  : 
The  percing  Steele  there  wrought  a  wound  full  wyde, 
That  with  the  uncouth"  smart  the   Monster  lowdly 
cryde. 

21  He  cryde,  as  raging  seas  are  wont  to  rore. 
When  wintry  storme  his  wrathful  wreck  does  threat; 
The  rolling  billowes  beat  the  ragged  shore, 

As  they  the  earth  would  shoulder  from  her  seat ; 
And  greedy  gulfe  does  gape,  as  he  would  eat 

1  Subject,  lying  beneath.  '  Disseized,  dispossessed. 

2  Ewghen,  made  of  yew.  8  Crosse,  a    term   of  falconry 

3  Hn;iard,  untamed.  for  l"i-<je  prey. 

4  liable,  able,  real.  ^  Tluilhmt,  piercing,  sharp. 

5  Pounces,  claws.  l"  Embosse,  inclose. 

«  Trusse,  bear  aloft.  "  Uncouth,  before  unknown. 


BOOK   I.      C^NTO   XI.  237 

His  neighbour  element  in  his  revenge : 
Then  gui  the  bhistring  brethren  boldly  threat 
To  move  the  world  from  off  his  stedfast  heno-e,! 
And  boystrous  battaile  make,  each  other  to  avenge. 

22  The  steely  head  stuck  fast  still  in  his  flesh, 
Till  with  his  cruell  clawes  he  snatcht  the  wood, 
And  quite  asunder  broke  :  forth  flowed  fresh 
A  gushing  river  of  blacke  gory  blood, 

That  drowned  all  the  land,  whereon  he  stood  ; 
The  streame  thereof  would  drive  a  water-mill : 
Trebly  augmented  was  his  furious  mood 
With  bitter  sence  of  his  deepe  rooted  ili,^ 
That  flames   of  fire   he  thi*ew  forth  from  his  large 
nosethril. 

23  His  hideous  tayle  then  hurled  he  about. 
And  therewith  all  enwrapt  the  nimble  thyes 
Of  his  froth-fomy  steed,  whose  courage  stout 
Striving  to  loose  the  knott  that  fast  him  tyes, 
Himselfe  in  streighter  bandes  too  rash  implyes,^ 
That  to  the  ground  he  is  perforce  constraynd 
To  throw  his  ryder :  who  can  quickly  ryse* 
From  of  the  earth,  with  durty  blood  distayiid. 

For  that  reprochfull  fall  right  fovvly  he  disdaynd; 

24  And  fercely  tooke  his  trenchand*^  blade  in  hand, 
With  which  he  stroke  so  furious  and  so  fell. 


1  Henge,  hinge.  *  Can  ryse,  rose. 

2  I.  e.  the  spear-head.  6  Trenchaml,  cutting. 
8  Implyes,  enfolds. 

VOL.  I.  21 


238  THE    KAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  nothing   seemd  the  puissaunce  could  with- 
stand : 
Upon  his  crest  the  hardned  yron  fell ; 
But  his  more  hardned  crest  was  armd  so  well, 
That  deeper  dint  therein  it  would  not  make  ; 
Yet  so  extremely  did  the  buffe  him  quell, 
That  from  thenceforth  he  shund  the  like  to  take, 
But,  when  he  saw  them  come,  he  did  them  still  for- 
sake.^ 

25  The  Knight  was  wroth  to  see  his  stroke  beguyld, 
And  smot  againe  with  more  outrageous  might ; 
But  backe  againe  the  sparcling  Steele  recoyld, 
And  left  not  any  marke  where  it  did  light, 

As  if  in  adamant  rocke  it  had  beene  pight.^ 
The  Beast,  impatient  of  his  smarting  wound 
And  of  so  fierce  and  forcible  despight. 
Thought  with  his  winges  to  stye  ^  above  the  ground ; 
But  his  late  wounded  wing  unserviceable  found. 

26  Then,  full  of  griefe  and  anguish  vehement. 
He  lowdly  brayd,  that  like  was  never  heard ; 
And  from  his  wide  devouring  oven  sent 

A  flake  of  fire,  that,  fiasliing  in  his  beard, 
Him  all  amazd,  and  almost  made  afeard : 
The  scorching  flame  sore  swinged*  all  his  face, 
And  througli  his  armour  all  his  body  seard,^ 
That  he  could  not  endure  so  cruell  cace. 
But  thought  his  armes  to  leave,  and  helmet  to  unlace. 

1  Forsake,  avoid.  ■*  Sieiiifjed,  singed. 

2  Pi(jht,  struck.  6  Seard,  scorched. 
*  Stye,  m.mnt. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    XI.  239 

27  Not  that  great  champion  of  the  antique  world, 
Whom  famous  poetes  verse  so  much  doth  vaunt, 
And  hath  for  twelve  huge  labours  hisrh  extold. 
So  many  furies  and  sharpe  fits  did  haunt, 
When  him  the  poysoned  garment  did  enchaunt. 
With  Centaures  blood  and  bloody  verses  charmd  ; 
As  did  this  Knight  twelve  thousand  dolours  daunt. 
Whom  fyrie  Steele  now  burnt,  that  erst  him  armd  ; 

That  erst  him  goodly  armd,  now  most  of  all  him  harmd. 

28  Faynt,  wearie,  sore,  emboyled,^  grieved,  brent,^ 
With  heat,  toyle,  wounds,  armes,  smart,  and  in- 
ward fire, 

That  never  man  such  mischiefes  did  torment ; 
Death  better  were  ;  death  did  he  oft  desire ; 
But  death  will  never  come,  when  needes  require 
Whom  so  dismay d  when  that  his  foe  beheld. 
He  cast^  to  suffer  him  no  more  respire, 
But  gan  his  sturdy  sterne  about  to  weld,* 
And  him  so  strongly  stroke,  that  to  the  ground  hiiQ 
feld. 

29  It  fortuned,  (as  fayre  it  then  befell,) 
Behynd  his  backe  unweeting,  where  he  stood, 
Of  auncient  time  there  was  a  springing  well. 
From  which  fast  trickled  forth  a  silver  flood. 
Full  of  great  vei'tues,  and  for  med'cine  good : 
Whylome,  before  that  cursed  Dragon  got 
That  happy  land,  and  all  with  innocent  blood 

1  Emboyled,  boiled  or  scorched.  3  Cast,  considered  how. 

2  Brtnt,  burned  *  HeW,  wield,  turn. 


240  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Defyld  those  sacred  waves,  it  rightly  hot  ^ 
The  Well  of  Life  ;  ne  yet  his  vertues  had  forgot : 

30  For  unto  life  the  dead  it  could  restore, 

And  guilt  of  sinfull  crimes  cleane  wash  away; 

Those,  that  with  sicknesse  were  infected  sore, 

It  could  recure  ;  and  aged  long  decay 

Renew,    as  it  were  borne  that  very  day. 

Both  Silo  this,  and  lordan  did  excell, 

And  th'  English  Bath,  and  eke  the  German  Spau ; 

Ne  can  Cephise,  nor  Hebrus,  match  this  well : 

Into  the  same  the  Knight  back  overthrowen  fell. 


o 


31  Now  gan  the  golden  Phoebus  for  to  steepe 
His  fierie  face  in  billowes  of  the  west, 

And  his  faint  steedes  watred  in  ocean  deepe, 
Whiles  from  their  iournall^  labours  they  did  rest; 
When  that  infernall  Monster,  having  kest^ 
His  wearie  foe  into  that  living  well. 
Can  high  advaunce  his  broad  discoloured  brest 
Above  his  wonted  pitch,  with  countenance  fell. 
And  clapt  his  yron  wings,  as^  victor  he  did  dwell. 

32  Which  when  his  pensive  Lady  saw  from  farre, 
Great  woe  and  sorrow  did  her  soule  assay ,* 

1  Ilot,  was  called.  *  As,  as  if. 

2  lournall,  ihiily.  6  Assay,  assail. 
8  Kest,  cast. 


XXX.  8.  —  A^e  can  Cephise,  &c.]  Cepliisus  is  a  river  in 
Boeotia,  Hebrus  a  river  in  'riirace,  both  memorable  in  classica] 
Btory.    H. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    XI.  241 

As  weening  that  the  sad  end  of  the  warre  ; 
And  gan  to  highest  God  entirely  ^  pray 
That  feared  chaunce  from  her  to  turne  away : 
With  folded  hands,  and  knees  full  lowly  bent, 
All  night  shee  watcht ;  ne  once  adowne  would  lay 
Her  dainty  limbs  in  her  sad  dreriment,^ 
But  praying  still  did  wake,  and  waking  did  lament. 

3;i  The  morrow  next  gan  earely  to  appeare, 
That  Titan  rose  to  runne  his  daily  race  : 
But  earely,  ere  the  morrow  next  gan  reare 
Out  of  the  sea  faire  Titans  deawy  face, 
Up  rose  the  gentle  Virgin  from  her  place, 
And  looked  all  about,  if  she  might  spy 
Her  loved  Knight  to  move  his  manly  pace : 
For  she  had  great  doubt  of  his  safety, 

Since  late  she  saw  him  fall  before  his  enimy. 

34  At  last  she  saw,  where  he  upstarted  brave 
Out  of  the  Well  wherein  he  drenched  lay : 
As  eagle,  fresh  out  of  the  ocean  wave, 
Where  he  hath  lefte  his  plumes  all  hory  gray. 
And  deckt  himselfe  with  fethers  youthly  gay. 
Like  eyas  ^  hauke  up  mounts  unto  the  skies, 
His  newly-budded  pineons  to  assay. 

And  marveiles  at  himselfe,  stil  as  he  flies : 
So  new  this  new-borne  Knight  to  battell  new  did  rise 

35  Wliom  when  the  damned  Feend  so  fresh  did  spy. 
No  wonder  if  he  wondred  at  the  sight, 

'*■  Entirely,  wtli  all  her  heart.  '  ^"w,  newly  fledged 

2  Dreriment,  distress. 


242  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  doubted  whether  his  late  enimy 
It  were,  or  other  new  sup})ned  knight. 
He  now,  to  prove  his  late  renewed  might, 
High  brandishing  his  bright  deaw-burning^  blade, 
Upon  his  crested  scalp  so  sore  did  smite, 
Tliat  to  the  scull  a  yawning  wound  it  made : 
The  deadly  dint  his  dulled  sences  all  dismaid. 

30  I  wote  not,  whether  the  revenging  Steele 
Were  hardned  with  that  holy  water  dew 
Wherein  he  fell ;  or  sharper  edge  did  feele ; 
Or  his  baptized  hands  now  greater  grew  ; 
Or  other  secret  vertue  did  ensew  ; 
Els  never  could  the  force  of  fleshly  arme, 
Ne  molten  mettall,  in  his  blood  embrew : 
For,  till  that  stownd,^  could  never  wight  him  harme 

By  subtilty,  nor  slight,  nor  might,  nor  mighty  charme. 

37  The  cruell  wound  enraged  him  so  sore. 
That  loud  he  yelled  for  exceeding  paine  ; 
As  hundred  ramping  lions  seemd  to  rore, 
Whom  ravenous  hunger  did  thereto  constraine. 
Then  gan  he  tosse  aloft  his  stretched  traine, 
And  therewith  scourge  the  buxome^  aire  so  sore, 
That  to  his  force  to  yielden  it  was  faine ; 
Ne  ought  his  sturdy  strokes  might  stand  afore, 

That  high  trees  overthrew,  and  rocks  in  peeces  tore  : 

1  Deaw-burning,  glittering  with  dew.     8  Buxome,  yielding. 

2  Stuwiul,  moment. 

XXXVI.  8.  —  The  dragon  had  been  wounded,  however,  in  the 
previous  day's  encounter. 


BOOR    1.    CANTO    XI.  243 

38  The  game  advauncing  high  above  his  head, 
With  sharpe  intended^  sting  so  rude  him  smott, 
That  to  the  earth  him  drove,  as  stricken  dead ; 
Ne  living  wight  would  have  him  life  behott-: 
The  mortall  sting  his  angry  needle  shott 

Quite  through  his  shield,  and  in  his  shoulder  seasd,' 
Where  fast  it  stucke,  ne  would  thereout  be  gott : 
The  gi'iefe  thereof  him  wondrous  sore  diseasd, 
Ne  might  his  rancling  paine  with  patience  be  appeasd. 

39  But  yet,  more  mindfuU  of  his  honour  deare 
Then  of  the  grievous  smart  which  him  did  wring, 
From  loathed  soile  he  can  him  lightly  reare, 
And  strove  to  loose  the  far  infixed  sting : 
Which,  when  in  vaine  he  tryde  with  struggeling, 
Inflam'd  with  wrath,  his  raging  blade  he  hefte,* 
And  strooke  so  strongly,  that  the  knotty  string 
Of  his  huge  taile  he  quite  a  sonder  clefte ; 

Five  ioints  thereof  he  hewd,and  but  the  stump  him  lefte. 

40  Hart  cannot  thinke,  what  outrage  and  what  cries, 
With  fowle  enfouldred^  smoake  and  flashing  fire. 
The  hell-bred  Beast  threw  forth  unto  the  skies, 
That  all  was  covered  with  darknesse  dire : 
Then  fraught  wnth  rancour,  and  engorged  yre, 
He  cast®  at  once  him  to  avenge  for  all ; 

And,  gathering  up  himselfe  out  of  the  mire 
With  his  uneven  wings,  did  fiercely  fall 
Upon  his  sunne-bright  shield,  and  grypt  it  fast  withalL 

1  Intended,  stretched  out.      *  Befte,  raised. 

2  Behott,  promised.  ^  F.nfouldred,  mixed  w-ith  lightning 
8  Seasd,  fixed.                         «  Cast,  devised. 


244  THE    FAICRIE    QUEKNE. 

41  Much  was  the  man  encombred  with  his  hold, 
In  feare  to  lose  his  weapon  in  his  paw, 

Ne  wist  yett  how  his  talaunts  to  unfold  ; 
Nor  harder  was  from  Cerberus  greedy  iaw 
To  plucke  a  bone,  then  from  his  cruell  claw 
To  reave  by  strength  the  griped  gage^  away : 
Thrise  he  assayd  it  from  his  foote  to  draw, 
And  thrise  in  vaine  to  draw  it  did  assay ; 
It  booted  nought  to  thinke  to  robbe  him  of  his  pray. 

42  Tho,^  when  he  saw  no  power  might  prevaile,   • 
His  trusty  sword  he  cald  to  his  last  aid, 
Wherewith  he  fiersly  did  his  foe  assaile. 

And  double  blowes  about  him  stoutly  laid, 
Tliat  glauncing  fire  out  of  the  yi'on  plaid. 
As  sparckles  from  the  andvile  use  to  fly. 
When  heavy  hammers  on  the  wedg  are  swaid ; 
Therewith  at  last  he  forst  him  to  unty 
One  of  his  grasping  feete,  him  to  defend  thereby. 

13  Tlu;  other  foote,  fast  fixed  on  his  shield, 

Whenas  no  strength  nor  stroks  mote  him  constraine 
To  loose,  ne  yet  the  warlike  pledg  to  yield ; 
He  smott  thereat  with  all  his  might  and  maine, 
That  noughtso  wondrous  puissaunce  might  sustaine : 
Upon  the  ioint  the  lucky  Steele  did  light, 
And  made  such  way,  that  hewd  it  quite  in  twaine ; 
The  paw  yett  missed  not  his  minisht  might. 

But  hong  still  on  the  shield,  as  it  at  first  was  pight.® 

1  Gage,  the  object  or  prize  of  the  contest. 

2  Tho,  then. 

9  Fight,  fastened. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    XI.  245 

44  For  griefe  thereof  and  divelish  despiglit, 
From  his  infernall  fournace  forth  he  threw 
Huge  flames,  that  dimmed  all  the  hevens  light, 
Enrold  in  duskish  smoke  and  brimstone  blew : 
As  burning  Aetna  from  his  boyling  stew 

Doth  belch  out  flames,  and  rockes  in  peaces  broke, 
And  ragged  ribs  of  mountaines  molten  new, 
Enwrapt  in  coleblacke  clowds  and  filthy  smoke, 
That  al  the  land  with  stench,  and  heven  with  horror,, 
choke. 

45  The  heate  whereof,  and  harmefull  pestilence. 
So  sore  him  noyd,^  that  forst  him  to  retire 

A  litle  backewai'd  for  his  best  defence. 
To  save  his  body  from  the  scorching  fire. 
Which  he  from  hellish  entrailes  did  exjjire.'^ 
It  chaunst,  (Eternall  God  that  chaunce  did  guide,) 
As  he  recoiled  baekeward,  in  the  mire 
His  nigh  foreweried  ^  feeble  feet  did  slide, 
And  downe  he  fell,  with  dread  of  shame  sore   terri- 
fide. 

46  There  grew  a  goodly  tree  him  faire  beside, 
Loaden  with  fruit  and  apples  rosy  redd. 
As  they  in  pure  vermilion  had  beene  dide. 
Whereof  sreat  vertues  over-alP  were  redd* : 
For  happy  life  to  all  which  thereon  fedd. 
And  life  eke  everlasting  did  befall : 

Great  God  it  planted  in  that  blessed  stedd* 

1  Noyd,  annoyed.  *  Over-all,  everywhere 

2  Expire,  breathe  out.  5  Redd^  declared. 
8  Fo-ewencd,  wearied  out.  "  StedJ,  place. 


246  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

With  his  Ahnighty  hand,  and  did  it  call 
The  Tree  of  Life,  the  crime  ^  of  our  first  Fathers  fall. 

47  In  all  the  world  like  was  not  to  be  fownd, 

Save  in  that  soile,  where  all  good  things  did  grow, 
And  freely  sprong  out  of  the  fruitful!  grownd, 
As  incorrupted  Nature  did  them  sow, 
Till  that  dredd  Draa;on  all  did  overthrow. 
Another  like  faire  tree  eke  grew  thereby, 
Whereof  whoso  did  eat,  eftsoones  did  know 
Both  good  and  ill :  O  mournfull  memory  ! 

That  tree  through  one  mans  fault  hath  doen   us  all 
to  dy  ! 

4S  From  that  first  tree  forth  flowd,  as  from  a  well, 
A  trickling  streame  of  balme,  most  soveraine 
And  dainty  deare,^  which  on  the  grountl  still  fell, 
And  overflowed  all  the  fertile  plaine, 
As  ^  it  had  deawed  bene  with  timely  raine : 
Life  and  long  health  that  gracious  ointment  gave ; 
And  deadly  wounds  could  heale  ;  and  reare  againe 
The  sencelesse  coi'se  appointed  for  the  grave  : 

Into  that  same  he  fell,  which  did  from  death  him  save. 

19  For  nigh  thereto  the  ever-damned  Beast 
Durst  not  approch,  for  he  was  deadly*  made, 
And  al  that  life  preserved  did  detest : 
Yet  he  it  oft  adventur'd  to  invade. 

1  Crime,  <a  metonymy  for  the  occasion  of  the  crime  of  Adum. 

2  Dainty  deare,  clioicely  precious. 
8   As,  <is  if, 

*    Dvni/hj,  for  deadly  or  destructive  purposes. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO   XI.  247 

By  this  the  drouping  day-hght  gan  to  fade, 
And  yield  his  rowme  to  sad  succeeding  night, 
Who  with  her  sahle  mantle  gan  to  shade 
The  face  of  earth  and  waves  of  livinsr  vvi"-]it. 
And  high  her  burning  torch  set  up  in  heaven  bright. 

50  When  gentle  Una  saw  the  second  fall 

Of  her  deare  Knight,  who,  weary  of  long  fight 
And  faint  through  losse  of  blood,  moov'd  not  at  all. 
But  lay,  as  in  a  dreame  of  deepe  delight, 
Besmeard    with    pretious   balme,  whose  vertuous 

might 
Did  heale  his  woundes,  and  scorching  heat  alay 
Againe  she  stricken  was  with  sore  affright. 
And  for  his  safetie  gan  devoutly  pray, 

And  watch  the  noyous  ^  night,  and  wait  for  ioyous  day. 

61  The  ioyous  day  gan  early  to  appeare  ; 
And  fayre  Aurora  from  the  deawy  bed 
Of  aged  Tithone  gan  herselfe  to  reare 
With  I'osy  cheekes,  for  shame  as  blushing  red : 
Her  golden  locks,  for  hast,  were  loosely  shed 
About  her  eares,  wdien  Una  her  did  marke 
Clymbe  to  her  charet,  all  with  tlowers  spred. 
From  heven  high  to  chace  the  chearelesse  darke ; 

With  mery  note  her  lowd  salutes  the  mounting  laike, 

52  Then  freshly  up  arose  the  doughty  Knight, 
All  healed  of  his  hurts  and  woundes  wide, 
And  did  himselfe  to  battaile  ready  dight ; 

1  Noyous,  irksome. 


248  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Wliose  early  Foe  awaiting  him  beside 
To  have  devourd,  so  soone  as  day  he  spyde, 
When  now  he  saw  himselfe  so  freshly  reare, 
As  if  late  fight  had  nought  him  damnifyde/ 
He  woxe  disraaid,  and  gan  his  fate  to  feare  ; 
Nathlesse  with  wonted  rage  he  him  advaunced  uearc ; 

53  And  in  his  first  encounter,  gaping  wyde, 

He  thought  attonce  him  to  have  swallowd  quight, 
And  rusht  upon  him  with  outragious  pryde  ; 
Who  him  rencountring  fierce,  as  hauke  in  flight, 
Perforce  rebutted  backe.     The  weapon  bright, 
Taking  advantage  of  his  open  iaw, 
Ran  through  his  mouth  with  so  importune  ^  might, 
That  deepe  emperst  his  darksom  hollow  maw, 

And,  back  retyrd,^  his  life  blood  forth  withall  did  draw. 

64  So  downe  he  fell,  and  forth  his  life  did  breath, 
That  vanisht  into  smoke  and  cloudes  swift ; 
So  downe  he  fell,  that  th'  earth  him  underneath 
Did  grone,  as  feeble  so  great  load  to  lift ; 
So  downe  he  fell,  as  an  huge  rocky  clift. 
Whose  false  foundacion  waves  have  washt  away, 
With  dreadfull  poyse'*  is  from  the  mayneland  rift. 
And,  rolling  downe,  great  Neptune  doth  dismay  : 

So  downe  he  fell,  and  like  an  heaped  mountaine  lay. 

56  The  Knight  himselfe  even  trembled  at  his  fall, 
So  huge  and  horrible  a  masse  it  seemd ; 

1  Damnifyde,  injured.  8  Retyrd,  drawn. 

2  Jmp6rlune,  importunate.  *  Potjse,  weight  or  force 


nooK  I.     CANTO  XI.  249 

And  his  deare  Lady,  that  beheld  it  all, 
Durst  not  approch  for  dread  which  she  misdeemd ; 
But  yet  at  last,  whenas  the  direful!  Feend 
She  saw  not  stirre,  of-shaking  vaine  affright 
She  nigher  drew,  and  saw  that  ioyous  end  : 
Then  God  she  praysd,  and  thankt  her  faithful! 
Knight, 
That  had  atchievde  so  great  a  conquest  by  Iiis  might 


250  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 


CANTO   XII. 


Fayre  Una  to  the  Redcrosse  Knight 

Betrouthed  is  with  ioj  : 
Though  false  Duessa,  it  to  barre, 

Her  false  sleightes  doe  iraploy. 


1  Behold  I  see  the  haven  nigh  at  hand, 

To  which  I  meane  my  wearie  coui'se  t«»  bend  ; 
Vere  the  maine  shete,  and  beare  up  with  the  land, 
The  which  afore  is  fayrly  to  be  kend,* 
And  seemeth  safe  from  storms  that  may  offend : 
There  this  fayre  Virgin  wearie  of  her  way 
Must  landed  bee,  now  at  her  iourneyes  end : 
There  eke  my  feeble  barke  a  while  may  stay, 
Till  mery  wynd  and  weather  call  her  thence  away. 

2  Scarsely  had  Phoebus  in  the  glooming  east 
Yett  harnessed  his  fyrie-footed  teeme, 

Ne  reard  above  the  earth  his  flaming  creast ; 
When  the  last  deadly  smoke  aloft  did  steeme, 
That  sijrne  of  last  outbreathed  life  did  seeme 
Unto  the  watchman  on  the  castle-wall, 
Who  thereby  dead  that  balefull  Beast  did  deeme, 
And  to  his  lord  and  lady  lowd  gan  call. 
To  tell  how  he  had  seene  the  Dragons  fatall  fall, 

1  Kend,  discerned. 


BOOli    1.       CANTO    XU.  251 

3  Uprose  with  hasty  ioy,  and  feeble  speed, 
Tliat  aged  syre,  the  Lord  of  all  that  land, 
And  looked  forth,  to  weet^  if  trew  indeed 
Those  tydinges  were  as  he  did  understand  : 
Which  whenas  trew  by  tryall  he  out  ibnd, 
He  badd  to  open  wyde  his  brasen  gate, 

Which  long  time  had  beene  shut,  and  out  of  hond  * 
Proclaymed  ioy  and  peace  through  all  his  state ; 
For  dead  now  was  their  foe,  which  them  forrayed' 
late. 

4  Then  gan  triumphant  trompets  sownd  on  hye, 
That  sent  to  heven  the  ecchoed  report 

Of  their  new  ioy,  and  happie  victory 
Gainst  him,  that  had  them  long  opprest  with  tort,* 
And  fast  imprisoned  in  sieged  fort. 
Then  all  the  people,  as  in  solemne  feast. 
To  him  assembled  with  one  full  consort, 
Reioycing  at  the  fall  of  that  great  Beast, 
From  whose  eternall  bondage  now  they  were  releast. 

s  Forth  came  tliat  auncient  Lord,  and  aged  Queene, 
Arayd  in  antique  robes  downe  to  the  grownd. 
And  sad  habiliments  riglit  well  beseene  ^ : 
A  noble  crew  about  them  waited  rownd 
Of  sage  and  sober  peres,  all  gravely  gownd  ; 
Whom  far  before  did  march  a  goodly  band 
Of  tall  young  men,  all  hable  arraes  to  sownd," 

1  Weet,  know.  «  Fw-rayed,  ravaged. 

2  Out  of  hond,  forthwith.  *  Tort,  injury. 
6  Wtll  bcseme,  making  a  good  appearance. 

«  Somid,  to  chisli,  i.  e.  to  use. 


252 


THE    FAERIE    QCEENE. 


But  now  they  laurell  braunches  bore  in  liand  •, 
Glad  signe  of  victory  and  peace  in  all  their  land. 

6  Unto  that  doughtie  conquerour  they  came, 
And,  him  before  themselves  prostrating  low, 
Tlieir  Lord  and  Patrone  loud  did  him  proclame, 
And  at  his  feet  their  lawrell  boujjhes  did  throw. 
Soone  after  them,  all  dauncing  on  a  row. 

The  comely  virgins  came,  with  girlands  dight. 
As  fresh  as  flowres  in  medow  greene  doe  grow, 
When  morning  deaw  upon  their  leaves  doth  light ; 
And  in  their  handes  sweet  timbrels  all  upheld  on  hight. 

7  And,  them  before,  the  fry  of  children  yong 
Their  wanton  sportes  and  childish  mirth  did  play, 
And  to  the  maydens  sownding  tymbrels  song 

In  well  attuned  notes  a  ioyous  lay. 
And  made  delightfull  musick  all  the  way, 
Uiitill  they  came  where  that  faire  Virgin  stood. 
As  fayre  Diana  in  fresh  sommers  day 
Beholdes  her  nymphes  enraung'd  in  shady  wood. 
Some  wrestle,  some  do  run,   some  bathe  in  christall 
flood  ; 

8  So  she  beheld  those  maydens  merlment 

With  chearefull  vew  ;  who,  when  to  her  they  came, 
Themselves  to  ground  with  gracious  humblesse ' 

bent. 
And  her  ador'd  by  honorable  name, 
Lifting  to  heven  her  everlasting  fame: 

1  Bumblesse,  humility. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    XII.  253 

Then  on  her  head  thej  sett  a  girlond  greene, 
And  crowned  her  twixt  earnest  and  twixt  "rarae : 
Who,  in  her  self-resemblance  well  beseene, 
Did  seeme,  such  as  she  was,  a  goodly  Maiden  Queene. 

9  And  after  all  the  raskall  many*  ran, 
Heaped  together  in  rude  rablement, 
To  see  the  face  of  that  victorious  man, 
"Whom  all  admired  as  from  heaven  sent, 
And  gazd  upon  with  gaping  wonderment 
But  when  they  came  where  that  dead  Dragon  lay, 
Stretcht  on  the  ground  in  monstrous  large  extent, 
The  sight  with  ydle  feare  did  them  dismay, 
Xe  durst  approch  him  nigh,  to  touch,  or  once  assay. 

10  Some  feardand  fledd ;  some  feard,  and  well  it  faynd*; 
One,  that  would  wiser  seerae  then  all  the  rest, 
Warnd  him  not  touch,  for  yet  perhaps  remaynd 
Some  lingring  life  within  his  hollow  brest. 

Or  in  his  wombe  might  lurke  some  hidden  nest 
Of  many  dragonettes,  his  fruitfuU  seede  ; 
Another  saide,  that  in  his  eyes  did  rest 
Yet  sparckling  fyre,  and  badd  thereof  take  heed ; 
Another  said,  he  saw  him  move  his  eyes  indeed. 

1 1  One  mother,  whenas  her  foolehardy  chyld 
Did  come  to  neare,  and  with  his  talants  play, 
Halfe  dead  through  feare,  her  litle  babe  revyld, 
And  to  her  gossibs  *  gan  in  counsell  say : 

1  Raskall  many,  common  multitude. 

2  Fayncl,  disguised. 

8  Gonsibs,  companions. 
\OL.  I.  22 


254  TIIK    FAERIE    QUEENK. 

"  How  can  I  tell,  but  that  his  talants  may 
Yet  scratch  my  sonne,  or  rend  his  tender  hand?" 
So  diversly  themselves  in  vaine  they  fray  * ; 
Whiles  some  more  bold  to  measure  him  nigh  stand, 
To  prove  how  many  acres  he  did  spred  of  land. 

12  Thus  flocked  all  the  folke  him  rownd  about ; 
The  whiles  that  hoarie  King,  with  all  his  traine. 
Being  arrived  where  that  Champion  stout 
After  his  foes  defeasaunce^  did  remaine, 

Him  goodly  greetes,  and  fayre  does  entertayne 
With  princely  gifts  of  y  vory  and  gold, 
And  thousand  thankes  him  yeeldes  for  all  his  paine. 
Then  when  his  daughter  deare  he  does  behold, 
Her  dearely  doth  imbrace,  and  kisseth  manifold. 

13  And  after  to  his  pallace  he  them  bringes, 

With  shaumes,^  and  trompets,  and   with  clarions 

sw^eet; 
And  all  the  way  the  ioyous  people  singes, 
And  with  their  garments  strowes  the  paved  street; 
Whence  mounting  up,  they  fynd  purveyaunce  meet 
Of  all,  that  royall  princes  court  became  ; 
And  all  the  floore  was  underneath  their  feet 
Bespredd  with  costly  scarlott  of  great  name,* 
On  which  they  lowly  sitt,  and  fitting  i)urpose^  frame. 


u  What  needes  me  tell  their  feast  and  goodly  guize. 
In  which  was  nothing  riotous  nor  vaine  •'* 


6 


1  Fray,  alarm.  *  Name,  celebrity. 

2  De/easdunce,  defeat.  ^  Purpost,  discourse. 

3  Shaumes,  pipes.  ®  Guize,  manner  (of  cnter.'aiinujnt). 


BOOK   1.      CANTO   XII.  255 

"What  needes  of  dainty  dishes  to  devize, 
Of  comely  services,  or  courtly  trayne  ? 
My  nan-o\v  leaves  cannot  in  them  contayne 
The  large  discourse  of  roiall  princes  state. 
Yet  was  their  manner  then  but  bare  and  playne ; 
For  th'  antique  world  excesse  and  pryde  did  hate 
Such  proud  luxurious  pompe  is  swollen  up  but  late. 

15  Then,   when   with  meates  and  drinkes  of  every 

kinde 
Their  fervent  appetites  they  quenched  had, 
That  auncient  Lord  gan  fit  occasion  finde, 
Of  straunge  adventures,  and  of  perils  sad 
Which  in  his  travell  him  befallen  had, 
For  to  demaund  of  his  renowraed  guest: 
Who  then   with  utt'rance  grave,  and  count'nance 

sad. 
From  poynt  to  poynt,  as  is  before  exprest, 
Discourst  his  voyage  long,  accoi'ding*  his  request. 

16  Great  pleasure,  mixt  with  pittifuU  regard, 
That  godly  King  and  Queene  did  passionate,^ 
Whyles  they  his  pittifuU  adventures  heard ; 
That  oft  they  did  lament  his  lucklesse  state. 
And  often  blame  the  too  importune^  fate 

That  heapd  on  him  so  many  wrathful!  wreakes*; 
(For  never  gentle  knight,  as  he  of  late, 
So  tossed  was  in  fortunes  cruell  freakes  ;) 
And  all  the  while  salt  teares  bedeawd  the  hearers 
cheaks. 

1  According,  according  to.  8  Jmportuvi',  UMi-eleiiting. 

2  Passionate,  feelingly  express.         ^  W'rtakts,  acts  of  vengeance 


256  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

17  Then  sayd  that  royall  pere  in  sober  wise : 

"  Deare  Sonne,  great  beene  the  evils  which  ye  bore 
From  first  to  last  in  your  late  enterprise, 
That  I  note^  whether  praise  or  pitty  more: 
For  never  Hying  man,  I  weene,  so  sore 
In  sea  of  deadly  daungers  was  distrest: 
But  since  now  safe  ye  seised  have  the  shore, 
And  well  arrived  are,  (High  God  be  blest!) 
Let  us  devize  of  ease  and  everlasting  rest." 

18  "  Ah,  dearest  Lord,"  said  then  that  doughty  Knight, 
"  Of  ease  or  rest  I  may  not  yet  devize  ; 

For  by  the  faith,  which  I  to  armes  have  plight, 
I  bownden  am  streight  after  this  emprize, 
As  that  your  daughter  can  ye  well  advize, 
Backe  to  retourne  to  that  great  Faery  Queene, 
And  her  to  serve  sixe  yeares  in  warlike  wize, 
Gainst  that  proud  Paynim  King  that  works  her 
teene*^: 
Therefore   I  ought  crave  pardon,  till  I  there  have 
beene." 

19  "  Unhappy  falls  that  hard  necessity," 
Quoth  he,  "  the  troubler  of  my  happy  peace, 
And  vowed  foe  of  my  felicity  ; 

Ne  I  against  the  same  can  iustly  preace.' 
But  since  that  band  ye  cannot  now  release, 

1  Note,  know  not.  8  Preace,  press,  insist. 

2  Teene,  injury. 

XVIII.  8.  —  Gainst  that  proud  Paynim  King.]     Philip  of  Spain. 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    XII.  257 

Nor  doen  undoe,  (for  vowes  may  not  be  vayne,) 
Soone  as  the  terme  of  those  six  yeares  shall  cease, 
Ye  then  shall  hether  backe  retourne  agayne, 
The  marriage  to  accomplish  vowd  betwixt  you  twayn: 

20  "  Which,  for  my  part,  I  covet  to  performe, 
la  sort  as  *  through  the  world  I  did  proclame, 
That  whoso  kild  that  Monster  most  deforme, 
And  him  in  hardy  battayle  overcame. 
Should  have  mine  onely  daughter  to  his  dame, 
And  of  my  kingdome  heyre  apparaunt  bee  : 
Therefore  since  now  to  thee  perteynes  the  same, 
By  dew  desert  of  noble  chevalree. 

Both  daughter  and  eke  kingdome  lo  !  I  yield  to  thee." 

21  Then  forth  he  called  that  his  daughter  fay  re, 
The  fairest  Un',  his  onely  daughter  deare, 
His  onely  daughter  and  his  onely  hayre  ; 
Who  forth  proceeding  with  sad  sober  cheare. 
As  bright  as  doth  the  morning  starre  appeare 
Out  of  the  east,  with  flaming  lockes  bedight, 
To  tell  that  dawning  day  is  drawing  neare. 
And  to  the  world  does  bring  long-wished  light : 

So  faire  and  fresh  that  Lady  shewd  herselfe  in  sight : 

':2  So  faire  and  fresh,  as  freshest  flowre  in  May ; 
For  she  had  layd  her  mournefull  stole  aside, 
And  widow-like  sad  wimple'^  throwne  away. 
Wherewith  her  heavenly  beautie  she  did  hide, 
Whiles  on  her  wearie  iourney  she  did  ride ; 

1 /n  sort  rt3,  according  as.  ^  ((7w!/j/e,  (here)  veil. 


258  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  on  lier  now  a  garment  she  did  weare 
All  lilly  white,  withoutten  spot,  oi*  pride, 
That  seemd  like  silke  and  silver  woven  neare  , 
But  neither  silke  nor  silver  therein  did  appeai'e. 

23  The  blazing  brightnesse  of  her  beeiaties  beame, 
And  glorious  light  of"  her  sunshyny  face, 

To  tell,  were  as  to  strive  against  the  streame : 
My  ragged  rimes  are  all  too  rude  and  bace 
Her  heavenly  lineaments  for  to  enchace. 
Ne  wonder ;  for  her  own  deare  loved  Knight, 
All*  were  she  daily  with  himselfe  in  place, 
Did  wonder  much  at  her  celestiall  sight  : 
Oft  had  he  seene  her  faire,  but  never  so  faire  dight. 

24  So  fairely  dight  when  she  in  presence  came, 
She  to  her  Syre  made  humble  reverence, 
And  bowed  low,  that  her  right  well  became, 
And  added  grace  unto  her  excellence : 

Wlio  with  great  wisedome  and  grave  eloquence 
Thus  gan  to  say —     But,  eare  he  thus  had  sayd, 
With  flying  speede,  and  seeming  great  pretence, 
Came  running  in,  much  like  a  man  dismayd, 
A  Messenger  with  letters,  which  his  message  sayd. 

25  All  in  the  open  hall  amazed  stood 

At  suddeinnesse  of  that  unwary^  sight? 
And  wondx'ed  at  his  breathlesse  hasty  niood : 
But  he  for  nought  would  stay  his  passage  right, 
Till  fast  before  the  King  he  did  alight ; 

1  All,  although.  8  Unwary,  unexpected. 

2  Diyht,  dressed 


BOOK    1.       CANTO    XII.  259 

Where  falling  flat  great  humblesse  ^  he  did  make, 
And  kist  the  ground  whereon  his  foot  was  pighf-; 
Then  to  his  handes  that  writt^  he  did  betake, 
Which  he  disclosing,  read  thus,  as  the  paper  spake : 

26  "  To  thee,  most  mighty  King  of  Eden  fayre. 
Her  greetino;  sends  in  these  sad  lines  addrest 
The  wofuU  daughter  and  forsaken  heyre 

Of  that  great  Emperour  of  all  the  West ; 
And  bids  thee  be  advized  for  the  best, 
Ere  thou  thy  daughter  linck,  in  holy  band 
Of  wedlocke,  to  that  new  unknowen  guest : 
For  he  already  plighted  his  right  hand 
Unto  another  love,  and  to  another  land. 

27  "  To  me,  sad  mayd,  or  rather  widow  sad, 
He  was  affyaunced  long  time  before. 

And  sacred  pledges  he  both  gave,  and  had. 
False  erraunt  knight,  infamous,  and  forswore ! 
Witnesse  the  burning  altars,  which  he  swore,* 
And  guilty  heavens  of  his  bold  periury ; 
Which  though  he  hath  polluted  oft  of  yore. 
Yet  I  to  them  for  iudgeinent  iust  doe  fly, 
And  them  coniure  t'  avenge  this  shameful!  iniuryl 

28  "  Therefore  since  mine  he  is,  or  free  or  bond, 
Or  false  or  trew,  or  living  or  else  dead. 
Withhold,  0  soverayne  Prince,  your  hasty  bond 
From  knitting  league  with  him,  I  you  aread^; 

1  Hujnblesse,  reverence.  *  Simre,  swore  by,  adjured 

2  Pir/ht,  placed.  ^  Aread,  advise. 
8  IVritt,  writing. 


260  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Ne  weene  my  right  with  strength  adowne  to  tread, 
1'hroijgh  weakenesse  of  my  widowhed  or  woe  . 
For  I'ruth  is  strong  her  rightful!  cause  to  plead, 
And  shall  finde  friends,  if  need  requireth  soe. 
So  bids  thee  well  to  fare,  thy  neither  friend  nor  foe, 

"  FiDESSA." 

i29  When  he  these  bitter  byting  wordes  had  red. 
The  tydings  straunge  did  him  abashed  make, 
Tliat  still  he  sate  long  time  astonished, 
As  in  great  muse,  ne  word  to  creature  spake. 
At  last  his  solemne  silence  thus  he  brake, 
With  doubtfull  eyes  fast  fixed  on  his  guest : 
''  Redoubted  Knight,  that  for  myne  only  sake 
Thy  life  and  honor  late  adventurest; 

Let  nought  be  hid  from  me,  that  ought  to  be  exprest. 

80  a  "\yhat  meane  these  bloody  vowes  and  idle  threats, 
Throwne  out  from  womanish  impatient  mynd  ? 
Whnt  hevens  ?    what  altars  ?    what  enraged  heates, 
Here  heaped  up  with  termes  of  love  nnkynd, 
My  conscience  cleare  with  guilty  bands  would  bynd? 


High  God  be  witnesse,  that  I  guiltlesse  ame 


But  if  yourselfe,  Sir  Knight,  ye  faulty  fynd. 
Or  wrapped  be  in  loves  of  former  dame. 
With  cryme  doe  not  it  cover,  but  disclose  the  same." 

»i  To  wliom  the  Redcrosse  Knight  this  answere  sent ; 
"  My  Lord,  my  King  ;  be  nought  hereat  dismayd, 
U'ill  well  ye  wote  ^  by  grave  intendiment,^ 

1  Wote,  know.  2  Jntendiment,  understanding. 


BOOK    I.       CAXTO    XII.  261 

What  woman,  and  wherefore,  doth  me  upbrayd 
With  breach  of  love  and  loialty  betrayd. 
It  was  in  my  mishaps,  as  hitherward 
I  lately  traveild,  that  nnwares  I  strayd 
Out  of  my  way,  through  perils  straunge  and  hard; 
That  day  should  faile  me  ere  I  had  them  all  declard^. 

32  "  There  did  I  find,  or  rather  I  was  fownd 
Of  this  false  woman  that  Fidessa  hight ; 
Fidessa  hight  the  falsest  dame  on  grownd, 
Most  false  Duessa,  royall  richly  dight. 
That  easy  was  t'  inveigle  weaker  sight : 
Who  by  her  wicked  arts  and  wiely  skill. 

Too  false  and  strong  for  earthly  skill  or  might, 
Unwares  me  wrought  unto  her  wicked  will, 
And  to  my  foe  betrayd,  when  least  I  feared  ill." 

33  Then  stepped  forth  the  goodly  royall  Maj^d, 
And,  on  the  ground  herselfe  prostrating  low, 
With  sober  countenaunce  thus  to  him  sayd  : 

"  0,  pardon  me,  my  soveraine  Lord,  to  sheow 
The  secret  treasons,  which  of  late  I  know 
To  have  bene  wrought  by  that  false  sorceresse  : 
Shee,  onely  she,  it  is,  that  earst  did  throw 
This  gentle  Knight  into  so  great  distresse. 
That  death  him   did    awaite   in    daily    wretched- 
nesse. 

34  "  And  now  it  seemes,  that  she  suborned  hath 
This  crafty  messenger  with  letters  vaine,^ 

1  Vaine,  false. 


262  THE    FAKUIE    QUEENE. 

To  worke  new  woe  and  improvided  scatli.* 
By  breaking  of  the  band  betwixt  us  tvvaine  ; 
"Wherein  she  used  hath  the  practicke  paine'^ 
Of  this  false  footman,  clokt  with  simplenesse, 
Whome  if  ye  please  for  to  discover  plaine, 
Ye  shall  him  Archimago  find,  I  ghesse, 
The   falsest   man   alive ;    who    tries,    shall    find   no 
lesse." 

35  The  King  was  greatly  moved  at  her  speach ; 
And,  all  with  suddein  indignation  fraight,^ 
Bad  on  that  Messenger  rude  hands  to  reach. 
Eftsoones  the  gard,  which  on  his  state  did  wait, 
Attacht  that  faytor  *  false,  and  bound  him  strait : 
Who  seeming  sorely  chauffed  at  his  band, 

As  chained  beare  whom  cruell  dogs  doe  bait, 
With  ydle  force  did  faine  them  to  withstand ; 
And  often  semblaunce  made  to  scape  out  of  their 
hand. 

36  But  they  him  layd  full  low  in  dungeon  deepe, 
And  bound  him  hand  and  foote  with  yron  chains ; 
And  with  continual  watch  did  warely  keepe. 
Who  then  would  thinke,  that  by  his  subtile  trains 
He  could  escape  fowle  death  or  deadly  pains  ? 
Thus,  when  that  Princes  wrath  was  pacifide, 

He  gan  renew  the  late  forbidden  bains,* 
And  to  the  Knight  his  daughter  deare  he  tyde 
With  sacred  rites  and  vowes  for  ever  to  abyde. 

1  Improvided  scaih,  unforeseen  mischief.        <  Faytor,  deceiver. 
^  Practicke  pnine,  treacherous  service.  6  Bains,  banns. 

8  Fraifjht,  fraught. 


BOOK    I.       CANTO    XII.  263 

B7  His  owne  two  hands  the  holy  knotts  did  knitt, 
That  none  but  death  for  ever  can  divide  ; 
His  owne  two  hands,  for  such  a  turne  most  fitt, 
The  housling^  fire  did  kindle  and  provide, 
And  holy  water  thereon  sprinckled  wide  ; 
At  which  the  bushy  teade  ^  a  groome  did  light, 
And  sacred  lamp  in  secret  chamber  hide, 
Where  it  should  not  be  quenched  day  nor  night, 

For  feare  of  evill  fates,  but  burnen  ever  bright. 

38  Then  gan  they  sprinckle  all  the  posts  with  wine, 
And  made  great  feast  to  solemnize  that  day  : 
They  all  perfumde  with  frankincense  divine. 
And  precious  odours  fetcht  from  far  away, 
That  all  the  house  did  sweat  with  great  aray : 
And  all  the  while  sweete  musicke  did  apply 
Her  curious  skill  the  warbling  notes  to  play, 
To  drive  away  the  dull  melancholy ; 

The  whiles  one  sung  a  song  of  love  and  iollity. 

39  During  the  which  there  was  an  heavenly  noise 
Heard  sownd  through  all  the  pallace  pleasantly. 
Like  as  it  had  bene  many  an  angels  voice 
Singing  before  th'  Eternall  Maiesty, 

In  their  trinall  triplicities  on  hye  : 

1  EousUng,  sacramental.  2  Teade,  torch. 


XXXVn.  4.  —  A  rite  derived  from  tlie  marriages  of  the  an- 
cie^nts. 

XXXIX.  5.  —  Trinall  triplicities.]  Some  of  the  Christian 
Fathers  have  considered  that  there  were  various  ranks  and  de- 
grees among  the  angels  in  heaven.  One  of  them  divides  them 
mto  three  hierarchies,  with  various  orders  in  each  hierarchy:  in 


264  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Yett  wist  no  creature  whence  that  hevenly  sweet 
Proceeded,  yet  each  one  felt  secretly, 
Himselfe  thereby  refte  of  his  sences  meet. 
And  ravished  with  rare  impression  in  his  sprite. 

40  Great  ioy  was  made  that  day  of  young  and  old, 
And  solemne  feast  proclaymd  throughout  the  land, 
That  their  exceeding  merth  may  not  be  told  : 
Suffice  it  heare  by  signes  to  understand 

The  usuall  ioyes  at  knitting  of  loves  band. 
Thrise  happy  man  the  Knight  himselfe  did  hold, 
Possessed  of  his  Ladies  hart  and  hand  ; 
And  ever,  when  his  eie  did  her  behold, 
His  heart  did  seeme  to  melt  in  pleasures  manifold. 

41  Her  ioyous  presence,  and  sweet  company, 
In  full  content  he  there  did  long  enioy ; 
Ne  wicked  envy,  ne  vile  gealosy, 

His  deare  delights  were  hable  to  annoy : 
Yet  swimming  in  that  sea  of  blisfull  ioy. 
He  nought  forgott  how  he  whilome  had  sworne, 
In  case  he  could  that  monstrous  Beast  destroy, 
Unto  his  Faery  Queene  backe  to  retourne  ; 
The  which  he  shortly  did  ;  and  Una  left  to  mourne. 

42  Now,  strike  your  sailes,  yee  iolly  mariners, 
For  we  be  come  unto  a  quiet  rode. 

Where  we  must  land  some  of  our  passengers, 
And  light  this  weary  vessell  of  her  lode. 

the  first  are  seraphim,  cherubim,  and  thrones ;  in  the  second,  do- 
minions, mights,  and  powers;  in  the  third,  principalities,  arch- 
angels, and  angels.    H. 


BOOK   I.      CANTO    XII.  265 

Here  she  a  while  may  make  her  safe  abode, 
Till  she  repaired  have  her  tackles  spent, 
And  wants  supplide  ;  and  then  againe  abroad 
On  the  long  voiage  whereto  she  is  bent : 
Well  may  she  speede,  and  fairely  finish  her  intent !  * 

*  We  do  not  learn  the  particular  enterprises  in  which  the  Red- 
cross  Knight  engaged  after  his  maniage  with  Una.  He  appears 
occasionally  in  the  subsequent  books,  but  only  incidentally,  and 
not  to  take  any  part  m  the  main  action     H. 


THE    SECOND   BOOKE 


OP 


THE    FAERIE    QUEENE, 


CONTAVNrNO 


THE    LEGEND   OF    SIR   GOTON,   OK    OF    TEMPERACNOE. 

1  Right  well  I  wote,  most  mighty  Soveraine, 
That  all  this  famous  antique  history 

Of  some  th'  aboundance  of  an  ydle  braine 
Will  iudged  be,  and  painted  forgery, 
Rather  then  matter  of  iust  memory ; 
Sith  none  that  breatheth  living  aire  does  know 
Where  is  that  happy  land  of  Faery, 
Which  I  so  much  doe  vaunt,  yet  no  where  show  i 
But  vouch  antiquities,  which  no  body  can  know. 

2  But  let  that  man  with  better  sence  advize* 
That  of  the  world  least  part  to  us  is  red  ^ ; 
And  daily  how  through  hardy  enterprize 
Many  great  regions  are  discovered, 
Which  to  late  age  were  never  mentioned. 
Wlio  ever  heard  of  th'  Indian  Peru  ? 

1  Advize,  bear  in  mind.  2  Red,  made  known. 


BOOK  II.  267 

Or  who  in  venturous  vessell  measured 
The  Amazon  huge  river,  now  found  trew  ? 
Or  fruitfullest  Virginia  who  did  ever  vew  ? 

3  Yet  all  these  were,  when  no  man  did  them  know, 
Yet  have  from  wisest  ages  hidden  beene ; 

And  later  times  thinges  more  unknowne  shall  show. 
Why  then  should  witlesse  man  so  much  misweene,^ 
That  nothing  is,  but  that  which  he  hath  seene  ? 
What,  if  within  the  moones  fayre  shining  spheare, 
What,  if  in  every  other  starre  unseene 
Of  other  worldes  he  happily  ^  should  heare  ? 
He  wonder   would  much  more ;  yet  such  to  some 
appeare. 

4  Of  Faery  lond  yet  if  he  more  inquyre, 

By  certein  signes,  here  sett  in  sondrie  place, 
He  may  it  fynd ;  ne  let  him  then  admyre. 
But  yield  his  sence  to  bee  too  blunt  and  bace, 
That  no'te  ^  without  an  hound  fine  footing  trace. 
And  thou,  O  fayrest  Princesse  under  sky, 
In  this  fayre  mirrhour  maist  behold  thy  face, 
And  thine  owne  realmes  in  lond  of  Faery, 
And  in  this  antique  ymage  thy  great  auncestry. 

5  The  which,  O,  pardon  me  thus  to  enfold 
In  covert  vele,  and  wrap  in  shadowes  light, 

1  Mlsioeene,  misjudge. 

2  Ha2)pUy,  haply. 

8  JVb7e,  knows  not,  contracted  from  ne.  wote. 


IV.  G.  —  Fayrtst  Friic(:sse.\     Queen  Elizabeth. 


268  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  feeble  eyes  your  glory  may  behold, 
Which  ells  could  not  endure  those  beames  bright, 
But  would  bee  dazled  with  exceeding  light. 
0  pardon  !  and  vouchsafe  with  patient  eare 
The  brave  adventures  of  this  Faery  Knight, 
The  good  Sir  Guyon,  gratiously  to  heare  ; 
In  whom  great  rule  of  Temp'raunce  goodly  doth  ap- 
peare. 


BOOK   11.      CAKTO    I.  2G9 


CANTO    I. 


Guyon,  by  Archimage  abusd, 
The  Redcrosse  Knight  awaytes  ; 

Fyndes  Mordant  and  Amavia  slaine 
With  Pleasures  poisoned  baytes. 


I  That  conning  Architect  of  cancred  guyle, 
Whom  Princes  late  displeasure  left  in  bands. 
For  falsed  letters,  and  suborned  wyle, 
Soone  as  the  Redcrosse  Knight  he  understands 
To  beene  departed  out  of  Eden  landes, 
To  serve  againe  his  soveraine  Elfin  Queene, 
His  artes  he  moves,  and  out  of  caytives  handes^ 
Himselfe  he  frees  by  secret  meanes  unseene ; 
His  shackles  emptie  lefte,  himselfe  escaped  cleene, 

a  And  forth  he  fares,  full  of  malicious  mynd, 
To  worken  mischiefe,  and  avenging  woe, 
Whereever  he  that  godly  Knight  may  fynd, 
His  onely  hart-sore  and  his  onely  foe  ; 
Sith  Una  now  he  algates  ^  must  forgoe, 
Whom  his  victorious  handes  did  earst  restore 

1  Cayfives  handes,  hands  of  menials  employed  to  keep  him. 

2  Algates,  in  any  case,  at  any  rate. 
VOL.  I.  23 


270  TUK    PAKRIE    QUEENE. 

To  native  crowne  and  kingdom  late  ygoe  * ; 
Where  she  eniojes  sure  peace  for  evermore, 
As  wetherbeaten  ship  arryv'd  on  happie  shore. 

3  Him  therefore  now  the  obiect  of  his  spight 
And  deadly  food  ^  he  makes :  him  to  offend 
By  foi-ged  treason,  or  by  open  fight, 

He  seekes,  of  all  his  drifte  the  aymed  end : 
Thereto  his  subtile"  engins  he  does  bend. 
His  practick^  witt  and  his  fayre  fyled  tonge, 
With  thousand  other  sleightes  ;  for  well  he  kend  * 
His  credit  now  in  doubtfuU  ballaunce  hong : 
For  hardly  could  bee  hurt,  who  was  already  stong. 

4  Still,  as  he  went,  he  craftie  stales  ^  did  lay, 
With  cunning  traynes  him  to  entrap  unwares, 
And  privy  spyals"  plast  in  all  his  way, 

To  weete  what  course  he  takes,  and  how  he  fares ; 
To  ketch  him  at  a  vauntage  in  his  snares. 
But  now  so  wise  and  wary  was  the  Knight 
By  tryall  of  his  former  hai'mes  and  cares, 
That  he  descryde,  and  shonned  still,  his  slight : 
The  fish,  that  once  was   caught,  new  bait  wil  hardly 
byte. 

u  Nath'lesse   th'  Enchaunter    would   not  spare  his 
payne. 
In  hope  to  win  occasion  to  his  will ; 
Which  when  he  long  awaited  had  in  vayne, 

1  Ygoe,  ago.  *  Keiul,  knew 

2  Food,  (bud.  6  Stales,  decoys 
8  Practkk,  treacherous.  8  Sjjyals,  spies. 


BOOK    11.       CANTO    1.  271 

He  chaungd  his  mynd  from  one  to  other  ill : 
For  tc  all  good  he  enimy  was  still. 
Upon  the  way  him  fortuned  to  meet, 
Fayre  marching  underneath  a  shady  hUl, 
A  goodly  Knight,  all  armd  in  harnesse  meete, 
That  from  his  head  no  place  appeared  to  his  feete. 

c  His  carriage  was  full  comely  and  upright ; 
His  countenance  demure  and  temperate  ; 
But  yett  so  Sterne  and  terrible  in  sight. 
That  cheard  his  friendes,  and  did  his  foes  amate  ^  : 
He  was  an  Elfin  borne,  of  noble  state 
And  mickle  worship  in  his  native  land ; 
Well  could  he  tourney,  and  in  lists  debate. 
And  knighthood  tooke  of  good  Sir  Huons  hand« 

When  with  King  Oberon  he  came  to  Fary  land. 

7  Him  als  ^  accompany d  upon  the  way 
A  comely  Palmer,^  clad  in  black  attyre. 
Of  rypest  yeares,  and  heares  all  hoarie  gray, 
That  with  a  staffe  his  feeble  steps  did  stire,* 
Least  his  long  way  his  aged  limbes  should  tire : 
And  if  by  lookes  one  may  the  mind  aread, 
He  seemd  to  be  a  sage  and  sober  syre  ; 


1  Amate,  daunt.  8  Palmer,  a  kind  of  pilgrim. 

2  Als,  also.  *  Stire,  steer. 


\7.  8.  —  Sir  Huons  hand.]  This  is  Sir  Huon  of  Bordeaux,  the 
hero  of  one  of  the  romances  of  chivalry,  bearing  his  name.  He  b 
represented  as  having  been  a  great  favorite  of  Oberon,  the  Fairy 
Kmg.    H. 


272  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  ever  with  slow  pace  the  Knight  did  lead, 
Who  taught  his  trampling  steed  with  equall  steps  to 
tread. 

8  Such  whenas  Archimago  them  did  view, 

He  weened*  well  to  worke  some  uncouth  wyle : 
Eftsoones,  untwisting  his  deceiptfuU  clew. 
He  gan  to  weave  a  web  of  wicked  guyle  ; 
And,  with  faire  countenance  and  flattring  style 
To  them  appi'oching,  thus  the  Knight  bespake  : 
"  Fayre   sonne  of  Mars,  that  seeke  with  warlike 

spoyle, 
And  great  atchiev'ments,  great  yourselfe  to  make, 
Vouchsafe  to  stay  your  steed  for  humble  misers  ^  sake." 

9  He  stayd  his  steed  for  humble  misers  sake, 
And  badd  tell  on  the  tenor  of  his  playnt : 
Who  feigning  then  in  every  limb  to  quake 
Through  inwai'd  feare,  and  seeming  pale  and  faynt, 
With  piteous  mone  his  percing  speach  gan  paynt : 
*'  Deare  Lady  !  how  shall  I  declare  thy  cace, 
Whom  late  I  left  in  languorous  constraynt^? 
Would  God  thyselfe  now  present  were  in  place 

To  tell  this  ruefull  tale  i    Thy  sight  could  win  thee 
grace. 

1  Weened,  hoped.  2  Miser,  wretched  person. 

8  Languorous  constraynt,  fainting  and  in  distress. 


VIII.  3. — Eftsomes,  untimshng,  &c.]  Abandoning  his  for- 
mer phin  of  treachery,  he  began  to  form  a  new  one  against  Sir 
Guyon.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    I.  273 

10  "  Or  rathei*  would,  0,  would  it  so  had  chaunst, 
That  you,  most  noble  Sir,  had  present  beene 
When  that  lewd  rybauld,  with  vyle  lust  advaunst,' 
Laid  first  his  filthie  hands  on  virgin  cleene, 

To  spoyle  her  dainty  corps,^  so  faire  and  sheene 
As  on  the  earth,  great  mother  of  us  all, 
With  living  eye  more  fayre  was  never  scene 
Of  chastity  and  honour  virginall ! 
Witnes,  ye  heavens,  whom  she  in  vaine  to  help  did 
call!" 

1 1  "  How  may  it  be,"  sayd  then  the   Knight  halfe 

wroth, 
"That   knight   should   knighthood  ever   so    have 

shent^?" 
"  None  but  that  saw,"  quoth  he,  "  would  weene  for 

troth,* 
How  shamefully  that  Mayd  he  did  torment : 
Her  looser  golden  lockes  he  rudely  rent, 
And  drew  her  on  the  ground  ;  and  his  sharpe  sword 
Against  her  snowy  brest  he  fiercely  bent, 
And  threatned  death  with  many  a  bloodie  word  ; 
Tounge  hates  to  tell  the  rest  that  eye  to  see  abhord.' 

12  Therewith  amoved  from  his  sober  mood, 

"  And  lives  he  yet,"  said  he,  "  that  wrought  this  act  ? 
And  doen  the  heavens  afibrd  him  vitall  food  ?  " 
"  He  lives,"  quoth  he,  "  and  boasteth  of  the  fact, 
Ne  yet  hath  any  knight  his  courage  crackt." 


1  Advaunst  stimulated.  »  Slieni,  disgraced. 

2  Cb»7«,  body.  '^  I  Vcrnvfor  truth,  believe  for  truth. 


274  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

"  Where  may  that  treachour*  then,"  sayd  he,  "be 

found, 
Or  by  what  meanes  may  I  his  footing  tract?" 
"  That  shfill  I  shew,"  said  he,  "  as  sure  as  hound 
The  stricken  deare  doth  chaleng^  by  the  bleeding 
wound." 

13  He  stayd  not  lenger  talke,  but  with  fierce  yre 
And  zealous  haste  away  is  quickly  gone 

To  seeke  that  knight,  where  him  that  crafty  squyre 
Supposd  to  be.     They  do  arrive  anone 
Where  sate  a  gentle  Lady  all  alone, 
With  garments  rent,  and  heare  discheveled. 
Wringing  her  handes,  and  making  piteous  mono  : 
Her  swollen  eyes  were  much  disfigui'ed, 
And  her  faii-e  face  with  teares  was  fowly  blubbered. 

14  The  Knight,  approching  nigh,  thus  to  her  said : 
"  Fayre  Lady,  through  fowle  sorrow  ill  bedight,^ 
Great  pitty  is  to  see  you  thus  dismayd. 

And  marre  the  blossom  of  your  beauty  bright : 
Forthy  *  appease  your  griefe  and  heavy  plight, 
And  tell  the  cause  of  your  conceived  payne  ; 
For,  if  he  live  that  hath  you  doen  despight. 
He  shall  you  doe  dew  recompence  agayne. 
Or  els  his  wrong  with  greater  puissance  maintaine." 

15  Which  when  she  heard,  as  in  despightfull  wise. 
She  wilfully  her  sorrow  did  augment. 


I  Treachonr,  traitor.  8  m  bedight,  disfigured. 

i  Chalenff,  find  the  scent  of.         ^  Forthy,  therefore. 


HOOK   II.      CANTO    I.  275 

And  offred  hope  of  comfort  did  despise, 
Her  golden  lockes  most  cruelly  she  rent, 
And  scratcht  her  face  with  ghastly  dreriment^ ; 
Ne  would  she  speake,  ne  see,  ne  yet  be  scene, 
But  hid  her  visage,  and  her  head  downe  bent. 
Either  for  grievous  shame,  or  for  great  teene,* 
As  if  her  hart  with  sorrow  had  transfixed  beene  : 

16  Till  her  that  Squyrebespake :  "  Madame,  my  liefe,^ 
For  Gods  deare  love  be  not  so  wilfull  bent. 

But  doe  vouchsafe  now  to  receive  reliefe, 
The  which  good  fortune  doth  to  you  present. 
For  what  bootes  it  to  weepe  and  to  wayment* 
When  ill  is  chaunst,  but  doth  the  ill  increase, 
And  the  weake  minde  with  double  woe  torment  ?  " 
Wlien  she  her  Squyre  heard  speake,  she  gan  appease 
Her  voluntarie  paine,  and  feele  some  secret  ease. 

17  Eftsoone  she  said  :  "  Ah  !  gentle  trustie  Squyre, 
What  comfort  can  I,  wofuU  wretch,  conceave  ! 
Or  why  should  ever  I  henceforth  desyre 

To  see  faire  heavens  face,  and  life  not  leave, 
Sith  that  false  Traytour  did  my  honour  reave  ^  ?  " 
«  False  traytour  certes,"  saide  the  Faerie  Knight, 
"  I  read^  the  man  that  ever  would  deceave 
A  gentle  lady,  or  her  wrong  through  might : 
Death  were  too  little  paine  for  such  a  fowle  despight.' 


Drenment,  sorrow.  ^  ^e^^^.  *ake  away. 

2  Tetne,  grief.  «  ^^<  'declare. 

3  Liefe,  dear.  ''  J^espir/ht,  injury. 
*  Wai{?ne7it,  lament. 


276  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

18  "  But  now,  fayre  Lady,  comfort  to  you  make, 
And  read^  who  hath  ye    wrought   this    shamfull 

plight, 
That  short  revenge  the  man  may  overtake, 
Whereso  he  be,  and  soone  upon  him  Hght." 
"  Certes,"  saide  she,  "  I  wote  not  how  he  hight, 
But  under  him  a  gray  steede  he  did  wield. 
Whose  sides  with  dapled  circles  weren  dight^; 
Upright  he  rode,  and  in  his  silver  shield 
He  bore  a  bloodie  crosse,  that  quartred  all  the  field." 

19  "  Now  by  my  head,"  saide  Guyon,  "  much  I  muse,' 
How  that  same  knight  should  do  so  fowle  amis, 
Or  ever  gentle  damzell  so  abuse : 

For  may  I  boldly  say,  he  surely  is 
A  right  good  knight,  and  trew  of  word  ywis*: 
I  present  was,  and  can  it  witnesse  well, 
When  armes  he  swore,  and  streight  did  enterpris' 
Th'  adventure  of  the  Errant  Damozell ; 
In  which  he  hath  great  glory  wonne,  as  I  hears  tell. 

20  "  Nathlesse  he  shortly  shall  againe  be  tryde. 
And  fairely  quit  liim  of  th'  imputed  blame  ; 
Els,  be  ye  sure,  he  dearely  shall  abyde, 


1  Head,  declare.  *  Yvns,  surely. 

2  IHght,  covered,  marked.  6  Enterpns,  undertake. 
8  Muse,  wonder. 


XIX.  8.  —  Errant  DamozeU.']  Una.  He  was  present  at  the 
court  of  the  Faerie  Queene  when  the  Red-cross  Knight  had  this 
adventure  assigned  to  him.    II. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    I.  277 

Or  make  you  good  amendment  for  the  same  : 
All  wrongs  have  mendes,  but  no  amende?  of  shame. 
Now  therefore,  Lady,  rise  out  of  your  paine, 
And  see  the  salving  of  your  blotted  name." 
Full  loth  she  seemd  thereto,  but  yet  did  faine ; 
For  she  was  inly  glad  her  purpose  so  to  gaine. 

•21  Her  purpose  was  not  such  as  she  did  faine, 
Ne  yet  her  person  such  as  it  was  seene ; 
But  under  simple  shew,  and  semblant  plaine,^ 
Lurkt  false  Duessa  seci'etly  unseene, 
As  a  chaste  virgin  that  had  wronged  beene  ; 
So  had  false  Archimago  her  disguysd. 
To  cloke  her  guile  with  sorrow  and  sad  teene*: 
And  eke  himselfe  had  craftily  devisd 

To  be  her  Squire,  and  do  her  service  well  aguisd.' 

22  Her,  late  forlorne  and  naked,  he  had  found 
Where  she  did  wander  in  waste  wildernesse, 
Lurking  in  rockes  and  caves  far  under  ground, 
And  with  greene  mosse  cov'ring  her  nakednesse, 
To  hide  her  shame  and  loathly  filthinesse, 
Sith*  her  Prince  Arthur  of  proud  ornaments 
And  borrowd  beauty  spoyld :  her  nathelesse 
Th'  Enchaunter  finding  fit  for  his  intents 

Did  thus  revest,^  and  deckt  with  dew  habiliments. 

23  For  all  he  did  was  to  deceive  good  knights, 
And  draw  them  from  pursuit  of  praise  and  fame 

1  Semblant  plaine,  honest  appearance.  *  Siih,  since. 

2  Teene,  grief.  ^  Jievest,  reclothe. 
s  Aguisd,  dressed,  f/wguised. 


278  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

To  slna;^  in  sloiith  and  sensuall  delisrlits, 
And  end  their  daies  with  irrenovvmed^  shame, 
And  now  exceeding  griefe  him  overcame, 
To  see  the  Redcrosse  thus  advaunced  hye  ; 
Therefore  this  craftie  engine  he  did  frame, 
Against  his  praise  to  stirre  up  enmitye 
Of  such,  as  vertues  like  mote  unto  him  allye. 

24  So  now  he  Guyon  guydes  an  uncouth  way 

Through  woods  and  mountaines,  till  they  came  at 

last 
Into  a  pleasant  dale  that  lowly  lay 
Betwixt  two  hils,  whose  high  heads,  overplast, 
The  valley  did  with  coole  shade  overcast ; 
Through  midst  thereof  a  little  river  rold, 
By  which  there  sate  a  knight  with  helme  unlaste, 
Himselfe  refreshing  with  the  liquid  cold, 

After  his  travell  Ions;  and  labours  manifold. 


o 


25  "  Lo  !  yonder  he,"  cryde  Archimage  alowd, 

"  That   wrought  the  shamefull  fact   which    I  did 

shew ; 
And  now  he  doth  himselfe  in  secret  shrow^d, 
To  fly  the  vengeaunce  for  his  outrage  dew  ; 
But  vaine  ;  for  ye  sliall  dearely  do'^  him  rew  : 
(So  Grod  ye  speed  and  send  you  good  successe  !) 
Which  we  far  off  will  hex'e  abide  to  vew." 
So  they  him  left  inflam'd  with  wrathfulnesse, 

That  streight  against  that  Knight  his  speare  he  did 
addresse. 

1  Sluff,  live  idly.  *  Do,  make. 

S  Irrenowmed,  inglorious. 


BOOK   II.       CANTO   I.  279 

26  Who,  seeing  him  from  far  so  fierce  to  prickc, 
His  warlike  armes  about  him  gan  embrace, 
And  in  the  rest  his  ready  speare  did  sticke  ; 
Tiio,*  whenas  still  he  saw  him  towards  pace, 
He  gan  rencounter  him  in  equall  race. 
They  bene  ymett,  both  ready  to  afFrap,^ 
When  suddeinly  that  warriour  gan  abacs 
His  threatned  speare,  as  if  some  new  mishap 

Had  him  betide,  or  hidden  danger  did  entrap  ; 

27  And  cryde,  "  Mercie,  Sir  Knight !  and  mercie,  Lord, 
For  mine  offence  and  heedelesse  hardiment, 
That  had  ahnost  committed  crime  abhord, 

And  with  reprochfuU  shame  mine  honour  shent,' 
Whiles  cursed  Steele  against  that  badge  I  bent, 
The  sacred  badge  of  my  Redeemers  death, 
Which  on  your  shield  is  set  for  ornament !  " 
But  his  fierce  foe  his  steed  could  stay  uneath,* 
Wlio   prickt  with  courage  kene,   did   cruell  battell 
breath. 

28  But  when  he  heard  him  speake,  streight  way  he 

knew 
His  errour  ;  and,  himselfe  inclyning,  sayd : 
"  Ah  !  deare  Sir  Guyon,  well  becommeth  you, 
But  me  behoveth  rather  to  upbrayd. 
Whose  hastie  hand  so  far  from  reason  strayd, 
That  almost  it  did  haynous  violence 
On  that  fayre  ymage  of  that  heavenly  Mayd, 

1  Tho,  then.  *  -S/fe^^  disgi-aced. 

2  Affrap,  strike.  *  Uiienth,  scarcely. 


280  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  decks  and  armes  your  shield  withfuire  defence : 
Your  court'sie  takes  on  you  anothers  dew  offence." 

29  So  beene  they  both  at  one,^  and  doen  upreare  ^ 
Their  bevers  bright  each  other  for  to  greet ; 
Goodly  comportaunce  ^  each  to  other  beai-e, 
And  entertaine  themselves  with  court'sies  meet. 
Then  saide  the  Redcrosse  Knight :  "  Now  mote  I 

weet, 
Sir  Guyon,  why  with  so  fierce  saliaunce,* 
And  fell  intent,  ye  did  at  earst^  me  meet; 
For,  sith  I  know  your  goodly  governaunce. 
Great  cause,  I  weene,  you  guided,  or  some  uncouth  * 

chaunce." 

80  *'  Uertes,"  said  he,  "  well  mote  I  shame  to  tell 
The  fond  encheason'  that  me  hether  led. 
A  false  infamous  faitour  late  befell 
Me  for  to  meet,  that  seemed  ill  bested,^ 
And  playnd  of  grievous  outrage,  which  he  red  ' 
A  knight  had  wrought  against  a  ladie  gent  *° ; 
Which  to  avenge,  he  to  this  place  me  led. 
Where  you  he  made  the  marke  of  his  intent, 

And  noAV  is  fled :  foule  shame  him  follow  wher  he 
went!" 

31  So  can  he  turne  his  earnest  unto  game, 

Through  goodly  handling  and  wise  temperaunce. 

1  At  one,  reconciled.  6  Uncouth,  strange. 

2  Up'enre,,  raise.  "^  Fond  encheason,  foolish  occasioa 
8  Cornporlnunce,  behavior.        8  j/i,  bested,  in  bad  plight. 

^  Saliaunce,  assault.  ^  Red,  declared. 

5  Earst,  first.  1"  Gent,  noble. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO   I.  281 

By  this  his  aged  Guide  in  presence  came  ; 
Who,  soone  as  on  that  knight  his  eye  did  glaunce, 
Eftsoones  of  him  had  perfect  cognizaunce,^ 
Sith  him  in  Faery  court  he  late  avizd  ^ ; 
And  sayd :  "  Fayre  sonne,  God  give  you  happy 

chaunce, 
And  that  deare  Crosse  uppon  your  shield  devizd, 
Wherewith  ahove  all  knights  ye  goodly  seeme  aguizd^ ! 

32  "  loy  may  you  have,  and  everlasting  fame, 
Of  late  most  hard  atchiev'ment  by  you  donne, 
For  which  enrolled  is  your  glorious  name 
In  heavenly  regesters  above  the  sunne, 
Where  you    a  saint  with  saints  your  seat  have 

wonne ! 
But  wretched  we,  where  ye  have  left  your  marke, 
Must  now  anew  begin  like  race  to  ronne. 
God  guide  thee,  Guyon,  Avell  to  end  thy  warke,* 

And  to  the  wished  haven  bring  thy  weary  barke  ! " 

83  "  Palmer,"  him  answered  the  Redcrosse  Knight, 
"  His  be  the  praise,  that  this  atchiev'ment  wrought, 
Who  made  my  hand  the  organ  of  His  might ! 
More  then  goodwill  to  me  attribute  nought ; 
For  all  I  did,  I  did  but  as  I  ought. 
But  you,  faire  Sii',  whose  pageant^  next  ensewes, 

1  Cognizaunce,  recollection.  ^  Agidzd,  adorned. 

2  Avizd,  saw.  ■*  Warke,  work. 
6  Pageant,  exhibition;  who  are  next  to  i)lay  your  part. 


XXXm.  6.  —  Whose  pageant  next  enseives.]     At  the  court  of 
the  Faerie  Queene  the  first  adventure  had  been  assigned  to  the 


282  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Well  mote  yee  thee,^  as  well  can  wish  your  thought, 
That  home  je  may  report  thrise  happy  newes  ! 
For  well  ye  worthy  bene  for  worth  and  gentle  thewes."  ^ 

34  So  courteous  conge  ^  both  did  give  and  take, 
With  right  hands  plighted,  pledges  of  good  will. 
Then  Guyon  forward  gan  his  voyage  make 
With  his  blacke  Palmer,  that  him  guided  still : 
Still  he  him  guided  over  dale  and  hill, 

And  with  his  steedy  stafFe  did  point  his  way ; 
His  race  with  reason,  and  with  words  his  will, 
From  fowle  intemperaunce  he  ofte  did  stay, 
And  sufFred  not  in  wrath  his  hasty  steps  to  stray. 

35  In  this  faire  wize  they  traveild  long  yfei'e,* 
Through  many  hard  assayes  ^  which  did  betide  ; 
Of  which  he  honour  still  away  did  beare, 

And  spred  his  glory  through  all  counti'yes  wide. 
At  last,  as  chaunst  them  by  a  foi'est  side 
To  passe,  for  succour  from  the  scorching  ray. 
They  heard  a  ruefull  voice,  that  dearnly  ^  cride 
With  percing  shriekes  and  many  a  dolefull  lay; 
Which  to  attend,  awhile  their  forward  steps  they  stay. 

36  "  But  if  that  carelesse  hevens,"  quoth  she,  "  despise 
The  doome  of  iust  revenge,  and  take  delight 

1  Thee,  prosper.  ■*  Yfere,  together. 

2  Thewes,  habits,  qualities.  5  Assdyes,  trials. 

8  CoiKje,  leave.  6  Bcanily,  mournfully. 


Ked-cross  Knight,  and  the  second  to  Sir  Gnyon.     See  the  Author's 
letter  prefixed  tc  the  Faerie  Queene.    H 


BOOK    U.       CANTO    1.  283 

To  see  sad  pageaunls^  of  mens  miseries, 
As  bownd  by  them  to  live  in  lives  despight,'^ 
Yet  can  they  not  warne  ^  Death  from  wretched  wight. 
Come,  then ;  come  soone ;  come,  sweetcot  Death, 

to  me. 
And  take  away  this  long-lent  loathed  light : 
Sharpe  be  thy  wounds,  but  sweete  the  medicines  be, 
That  long  captived  soules  from  weary  thraldome  free. 

37  "  But  thou,  sweete  Babe,  whom  frowning  froward 

fate 
Hath  made  sad  witnesse  of  thy  fathers  fall, 
Sith  heven  thee  deignes  to  hold  in  living  state, 
Long  maist  thou  live,  and  better  thrive  withall 
Then  to  thy  lucklesse  parents  did  befall ! 
Live  thou  !  and  to  thy  mother  dead  attest. 
That  cleare  she  dide  from  blemish  criminall : 
Thy  litle  hands  embrewd  in  bleeding  brest, 
Loe  !  I  for  pledges  leave  !   So  give  me  leave  to  rest ! " 

38  With  that  a  deadly  shrieke  she  forth  did  throw, 
That  through  the  wood  re-echoed  againe  ; 
And  after  gave  a  grone  so  deepe  and  low 

That  seemd  her  tender  heart  was  rent  in  twaine, 
Or  thrild  with  point  of  thorough-piercing  paine  : 
As  gentle  hynd,  whose  sides  with  cruell  Steele 
Through  launched,  forth  lier  bleeding  life  does  raine, 
Whiles  the  sad  pang  approching  shee  does  feele, 
Braies  out  her  latest  breath,  and  up  her  eies  doth 
seele. 

1  Payeaunts,  spectacles.  '  Warne,  keep. 

2  /»  lives  despiyht,  in  contempt  and  abhorrence  of  life. 


284  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

39  Wliich    when    that    warriour   heard,   dismounting 

straict 
From  his  tall  steed,  he  rusht  into  the  thick,* 
And  soone  arrived  where  that  sad  pourtraict* 
Of  death  and  dolour  lay,  halfe  dead,  halfe  quick ; 
In  whose  white  alabaster  brest  did  stick 
A  cruell  knife  that  made  a  griesly  wownd, 
From  which  forth  gusht  a  stream  of  gore-blood 

thick, 
That  all  her  goodly  garments  staind  arownd, 
i.\nd  into  a  deepe  sanguine  dide  the  grassy  grownd. 

40  Pitifull  spectacle  of  deadly  smart. 
Beside  a  bubling  fountaine  low  she  lay, 
Which  shee  increased  with  her  bleeding  hart, 
And  the  cleane  waves  with  purple  gore  did  ray  ^ : 
Als*  in  her  lap  a  lovely  babe  did  play 

His  cruell  sport,  in  stead  of  sorrow  dew  ; 
For  in  her  streaming  blood  he  did  embay* 
His  litle  hands,  and  tender  ioints  embrew : 
Pitifull  spectacle,  as  ever  eie  did  vew  ! 

41  Besides  them  both,  upon  the  soiled  gras 

The  dead  corse  of  an  armed  knight  was  spred 
Whose  armour  all  with  blood  besprincled  was  ,■ 
His  ruddy  lips  did  smyle,  and  rosy  red 
Did  paint  his  chearefull  cheekes,  yett  being  ded  ; 
Seemd  to  have  beene  a  goodly  personage, 
Now  in  his  freshest  ilowre  of  lustyhea,® 

I  Thick,  thicket.  *  AU,  also. 

'i  Puurtraict,  image.  ^  Emhnij,  batlie. 

8  R'ty,  stain.  ^  Lusti/hcil,  lustiness,  vigor. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    I.  285 

Fitt  to  inflame  faire  lady  with  loves  ran^e, 
But  that  fiers  fate  did  crop  the  blossome  of  his  ao^e. 

42  Whom  when  the  good  Sir  Guyon  did  behold, 
His  hart  gan  wexe  as  starke  as  marble  stone. 
And  his  fresh  blood  did  frieze  with  fearefull  cold, 
That  all  his  sences  seemd  berefte  attone  * : 

At  last  his  mighty  ghost  -  gan  deepe  to  grone. 
As  lion,  grudging  ^  in  his  great  disdaine, 
Mournes  inwardly,  and  makes  to  himselfe  mone ; 
Til  ruth  and  fraile  affection  did  constraine 
His  stout  courage*   to  stoupe,  and  shew  his  inward 
paine. 

43  Out  of  her  gored  wound  the  cruell  steel 

He  lightly  snateht,  and  did  the  floodgate  stop 
With  his  faire  garment :  then  gan  softly  feel 
Her  fe(ible  pulse,  to  prove  if  any  drop 
Of  living  blood  yet  in  her  veynes  did  hop  : 
Which  when  he  felt  to  move,  he  hoped  faire 
To  call  backe  life  to  her  forsaken  shop^ : 
So  well  he  did  her  deadly  wounds  repaire. 
That  at  the  last  shee  gan  to  breath  out  living  aire. 

14  Which  he  perceiving,  greatly  gan  reioice, 
And  goodly  counsell,  that  for  wounded  hart 
Is  meetest  med'cine,  terapred  with  sweete  voice  ; 
"  Ay  me  !  deare  Lady,  which  the  ymage  art 
Of  ruefull  pitty  and  impatient  smart, 

1  Attone,  at  once.  *  Couv&ge,  heart, 

a  Ghost,  spii-it  ^  shop,  shape,  fonn. 

8  Gnult/ing,  chafing,  fretting. 
VOL,  I,  24 


286  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

What  direfull  chaunce  armd  with  avenging  fate, 
Or  ciu'sed  hand,  hath  plaid  this  cruell  part, 
Thus  fowle  to  hasten  your  untimely  date? 
Speake,  O  dear  Lady,  speake ;    help  never   comes 
too  late." 

40  Therewith  her  dim  eie-lids  she  up  gan  reare, 
On  which  the  drei*y  death  did  sitt  as  sad^ 
As  lump  of  lead,  and  made  darke  clouds  appeare : 
But  when  as  him,  all  in  bright  armour  clad, 
Before  her  standing  she  espied  had. 
As  one  out  of  a  deadly  dreame  affright. 
She  weakely  started,  yet  she  nothing  drad^: 
Streight  downe  againe  herselfe  in  great  despight 

She  groveling  threw  to  ground,  as  hating  life  and  light. 

46  The  gentle  Knight  her  soone  with  carefull  paine 
Uplifted  light,  and  softly  did  uphold  : 
Thrise  he  her  reard,  and  thrise  she  sunck  againe, 
Till  he  his  armes  about  hei-  sides  gan  fold. 
And  to  her  said  :  "  Yet  if  the  stony  cold 
Have  not  all  seized  on  your  frozen  hart. 
Let  one  word  fall  that  may  your  griefe  unfold, 
A.nd  tell  the  secrete  of  your  mortall  smart : 

He  oft  finds  present  helpe,  who  does  his  griefe  impart." 

17  Tlien,  casting  up  a  deadly  looke,  full  low 

Shee  sight"  from  bottome  of  her  wounded  brest; 
And,  after  many  bitter  throbs  did  throw^ 
With  lips  full  pale  and  foltring  tong  opprest, 

I  Sad,  lieiivy.  2  zy,-aa  feare  8  Sight,  sighed. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO   I.  287 

These  words  she  breathed  forth  from  riven  chest : 
"  Leave,  ah  !  leave  of,  whatever  wight  thou  bee, 
To  lett^  a  weary  wretch  from  her  dew  rest, 
And  trouble  dying  soules  tranquilitee  ; 
Take  not  away  now  got,  which  none  would  give  to 
me." 

48  "  Ah  !  far  be  it,"  said  he,  "  deare  Dame,  fro  mee, 
To  hinder  soule  from  her  desired  rest, 
Or  hold  sad  life  in  long  captivitee  : 
For  all  I  seeke  is  but  to  have  red  rest 
The  bitter  pangs  that  doth  your  heart  infest. 
Tell  then,  O  Lady,  tell  what  fatall  priefe  ^ 
Hath  with  so  huge  misfortune  you  opprest ; 
That  I  may  cast^  to  compas  your  reliefe, 

Or  die  with  you  in  sorrow,  and  partake  your  griefe." 

19  With  feeble  hands  then  stretched  forth  on  hye. 
As  heven  accusing  guilty  of  her  death, 
And  with  di-y  drops  congealed  in  her  eye, 
In  these  sad  wordes  she  spent  her  utmost  breath : 
"  Heare  then,  0  man,  the  sorrowes  that  uneath  * 
My  tong  can  tell,  so  far  all  sence  they  pas  ! 
Loe  !  this  dead  corpse,  that  lies  here  underneath, 
The  gentlest  knight,  that  ever  on  greene  gras 

Gay  steed  with  spurs  did  pricke,  the  good  Sir  Mort- 
dant  was  : 

50  "  "Was  (ay  the  while,  that  he  is  not  so  now  !) 
My  lord,  my  love,  my  deare  lord,  my  deare  love, 

1  Lett,  hinder.  ^  Cbs',  ilevise  liow. 

«  PWe/e,  experience.  *  Uneath,  scaicely. 


288  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

So  long  as  hevens  iust  with  equall  brow 
Vouchsafed  to  behold  us  from  above. 
One  day,  when  him  high  corage  did  emmove, 
(As  wont  ye  knightes  to  seeke  adventures  wilde,) 
He  pricked  forth  his  puissaunt  force  to  prove : 
Me  then  he  left  enwombed  of  this  childe, 
This  luekles  childe,  whom  thus  ye  see  with  blood  defild ; 

ri  "  Him  fortuned  (hard  fortune  ye  may  ghesse !) 
To  come,  where  vile  Acrasia  does  wonne  ^ ; 
Aci'asia,  a  false  Enchaunteresse, 
That  many  errant  knightes  hath  fowle  fordonne**; 
Witiiin  a  wandring  island,  that  doth  ronne 
And  stray  in  perilous  gulfe,  her  dwelling  is : 
Fayre  Sir,  if  ever  there  ye  travell,  shonne 
The  cursed  land  where  many  wend^  amis. 

And  know  it  by  the  name  ;  it  bight  the  Bowre  of  Mis. 

52  "  Her  blis  is  all  in  pleasure,  and  delight. 

Wherewith  she  makes  her  lovers  dronken  mad  ; 
And   then  with  vvoi'ds,  and   weedes,  of  wondrous 

might, 
On  them  she  workes  her  will  to  uses  bad : 
My  Uefest^  lord  she  thus  beguiled  had  ; 
For  he  was  flesh  :   (all  flesh  doth  frayltie  breed  !) 
Whom  when  I  heard  to  beene  so  ill  bestad,^ 

1  ]Vo?ine,  dwell.  •*  Liefest,  dearest. 

2  Fonhmne,  uiuloi.e.  *  Btslad,  situated. 
8  Weiid,  go. 


LI.  2.  —  Acrasin.]     This  is  a  Greek  word,  and  means  inUmper- 
ence  or  incontinence.     H. 


BOOK     II,       CANTO    I.  289 

(TV  eake  wretch)  I  wrapt  myselfe  in  palmers  weed, 
to  seek 
dreed. 


Ajid  cast  to  seek  him  forth  through  danger  and  great 


63  "  Now  had  fayre  Cynthia  by  even  tournes 
Full  measured  three  quarters  of  her  yeare, 
And  thrise  three  tymes  had  fild  her  crooked  homes, 
Whenas  my  wombe  her  burdein  would  forbeare,^ 
And  bad  me  call  Lucina  to  me  neare. 
Lucina  came  :  a  manchild  forth  I  brought : 
The  woods,  the  nymphes,  my  bowres,  my  midwives, 

weare : 
Hard  helpe   at   need!      So  deare  thee,   Babe,  I 

bought ; 
Yet  nought  to  dear  I  deemd,  while  so  my  deare  I 

sought. 


*o 


S4  "  Him  so  I  sought ;  and  so  at  last  I  fownd. 
Where  him  that  Witch  had  thralled  to  her  will, 
In  chaines  of  lust  and  lewde  desyres  ybownd, 
And  so  transformed  from  his  foi-mer  skill. 
That  me  he  knew  not,  nether  his  owne  ill ; 
Till,  through  wise  handling  and  faire  governaunce 
I  him  recured  to  a  better  will, 
Purged  from  drugs  of  fowle  intemperaunce : 

Then  meanes  I  gan  devise  for  his  deUverance. 

f.5  "  Which  when  the  vile  Enchaunteresse  perceiv'd, 
How  that  my  lord  from  her  I  would  reprive. 
With  cup  thus  charmd  him  parting  she  deceivd : 

1  Forbeare,  bear  or  bring  forth. 


290  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

'  Sad  verse,  give  death  to  him  that  deatli  does  pive. 
And  losse  of  love  to  her  that  lores  to  live, 
So  soone  as  Bacchus  with  the  Nymphe  does  lincke  /' 
So  parted  we,  and  on  our  iourney  drive  ; 
Till,  comming  to  this  well,  he  stoupt  to  drincke  : 
The  charme  fulfild,   dead  suddeinly    he   downe  did 
sincke. 

66  "  Which  when  I,  wretch  "  —  Not  one  word  more 
she  sayd, 
But  breaking  of  the  end  for  want  of  breath, 
And  slyding  soft,  as  downe  to  sleepe  her  layd, 
And  ended  all  her  woe  in  quiet  death. 
That  seeing,  good  Sir  Guyon  could  uneath  ^ 
From  teares  abstayne  ;  for  griefe  his  hart  did  grate,'' 
And  from  so  heavie  sight  his  head  did  wreath,' 
Accusing  fortune,  and  too  cruell  fate, 

Which  plonged  had  faire  lady  in  so  wretched  state. 

57  Then,  turning  to  his  Palmer,  said  :  "  Old  Syre, 
Behold  the  ymage  of  mortalitie. 
And  feeble  nature  cloth'd  with  fleshly  tyre*! 
When  raging  passion  with  fierce  tyranny 
Robs  reason  of  her  dew  regalitie, 
And  makes  it  servaunt  to  her  basest  part ; 
The  strong  it  weakens  with  infirmitie, 

1  Dheath,  scarcely.  ^  Wreath,  turn. 

2  Gratt,  lacenite.  ■*  Tyix,  dress. 

LV.  4. —  To  Mm  (hat  death  does  ffive.]  Mordant  (Mort-dant, 
stanza  49).  — 5.  Her  that  loves  to  live.]  Ama-via. — 6.  So  soone 
as  Bacchus,  iSic]   As  soon  as  this  wine  is  mixed  witli  water.     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    I.  291 

And  with  bold  furie  armes  the  weakest  hart : 
The  strong  through  pleasure  soonest  falles,  the  weake 
through  smart." 

68  "  But  Teraperaunce,"  said  he,  "  with  golden  squire' 
Betwixt  them  both  can  measui'e  out  a  meane  ; 
Nether  to  melt  in  pleasures  whott  ^  desyre, 

Nor  frye  in  hartlesse  griefe  and  dolefull  teiie  : 
Thrise  happy  man,  who  fares  ^  them  both  atweene  ! 
But  sith  this  wretched  woman  ovei'comc 
Of  anguish,  rather  then  of  crime,  hath  bene, 
Reserve  her  cause  to  her  eternall  doome  ; 
And,  in  the  meane,'*  vouchsafe  her  honorable  toombe." 

69  "  Palmer,"  quoth  he,  "  death  is  an  equall  doome 
To  good  and  bad,  the  commen  In  of  rest ; 

But  after  death  the  tryall  is  to  come. 
When  best  shall  bee  to  them  that  lived  best : 
But  both  alike,  when  death  hath  both  supprest, 
Religious  reverence  doth  buriall  teene  ; 
Which  whoso  wants,  wants  so  much  of  his  rest : 
For  all  so  fjreat  shame  after  death  I  weene. 
As  selfe  to  dyen  bad,  unburied  bad  to  beene  " 


1  Squii-e,  square  or  rule.  8  Faroes,  goes. 

2  IVholt,  hot.  *  In  the  meane,  meanwhile. 


LIX.  6.  Dotli  buriall  teene.]  There  appears  to  be  no  authority 
for  giving  to  teene  tlie  meaning  bestow.  To  do  buriall  teene  is 
rather  "  to  do  obsequious  sorrow."     C. 

LIX.  8.  —  For  all,  &c.]  For  I  think  it  as  great  a  calamity  to 
remain  dishonorably  unburied,  as  to  die  dishonorably.    H. 


292  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

60  So  both  agree  their  bodies  to  engrave  * : 

The  great  earthes  wombe  they  open  to  the  sky, 
And  with  sad  cypresse  seeraely  it  embrave^ 
Then,  covering  with  a  clod  their  closed  eye, 
They  lay  therein  those  corses  tenderly, 
And  bid  them  sleepe  in  everlasting  peace. 
But,  ere  they  did  their  utmost  obsequy. 
Sir  Gnyon,  more  affection  to  increace, 
Bynempt  ^  a  sacred  vow,  which  none  should  ay  releace. 

61  The  dead  knights  sword  out  of  his  sheath  he  drew, 
With  which  he  cutt  a  lock  of  all  their  heare. 
Which  medling^  with  their  blood  and  earth  he  threw 
Into  the  grave,  and  gan  devoutly  sweare : 

"  Such  and  such  evil  God  on  Guyon  reare. 

And   worse   and   worse,  young  Orphane,  be  thy 

payne, 
If  I,  or  thou,  dew  vengeance  doe  forbeare. 
Till  guiltie  blood  ^  her  guerdon  doe  obtayiie !  "  — 
So,  shedding  many  teares,  they  closd  the  earth  agayne. 

1  Engrave,  biiry.  *  Medling,  mingling. 

2  Embrave,  adorn.  6  Blood,  i.  e.  Acrasui. 
8  Bynemjyl,  pronounced. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO   II.  293 


CANTO    II. 


Babes  bloody  handes  may  not  be  clensd: 

The  Face  of  Golden  Meane : 
Her  sisters,  Two  Extremities, 

Strive  her  to  banish  cleane. 


1  Thus  when  Sir  Guyon  with  his  faithful  guyde- 
Had  with  dew  rites  and  dolorous  lament 
The  end  of  their  sad  tragedie  uptyde,^ 
The  litle  babe  up  in  his  armes  he  hent^; 
Who  with  sweet  pleasaunce,  and  bold  blandishment, 
Gan  smyle  on  them,  that  rather  ought  to  weepe, 
As  carelesse  of  his  woe,  or  innocent 
Of  that  was  doen  ;  that  ruth  ®  emperced  deepe 
Li  that  knightes  hart,  and  wordes  with  bitter  teares 
did  steepe : 

9  "  Ah  !  lucklesse  babe,  borne  under  cruell  starre. 
And  in  dead  parents  balefuU  ashes  bred, 
Full  little  weenest  thou  what  sorrowes  aie 
Left  thee  for  porcion  of  thy  livelyhed,* 
Poore  orphane !  in  the  wide  world  scattered. 
As  buddina;  braunch  rent  from  the  native  tree, 
And  throwen  forth,  till  it  be  withered ! 

1  UpUjde,  accomplished.  ^  RutK  P'ty- 

8  Hent,  took.  *  Livelyhed,  liv  :lihoo.l. 


294  THE    FAKRIE    QUEENE. 

Such  is  the  state  of  men  !     Thus  enter  we 
Into  this  life  with  woe,  and  end  with  miseree  I " 

3  Then,  soft  himselfe  inclyning  on  his  knee 
Downe  to  that  well,  did  in  the  water  weene 
(So  love  does  loath  disdainefuU  nicitee) 

His  guiltie  ^  handes  from  bloody  gore  to  cleene  : 
He  washt  them  oft  and  oft,  yet  nought  they  beene 
For  all  his  washing  cleaner.     Still  he  strove ; 
Yet  still  the  litle  hands  were  bloody  scene : 
The  which  him  into  great  amaz'ment  drove, 
And  into  diverse  doubt  his  wavering  wonder  clove. 

4  He  wist  not  whether  blott  of  fowle  offence 
Might  not  be  purgd  with  water  nor  with  bath  ; 
Or  that  High  God,  in  lieu  of  innocence,'^ 
Imprinted  had  that  token  of  his  wrath, 

To  shew  how  sore  bloodguiltinesse  he  hat'th ; 
Or  that  the  charme  and  veneme,  which  they  dronck, 
Their  blood  with  secret  filth  infected  hath. 
Being  diffused  through  the  sencelesse  tronck 
That,   through   the  great   contagion,  direful   deadly 
stonck. 

5  Whom  thus  at  gaze  the  Palmer  gan  to  bord  * 
With  goodly  reason,  and  thus  fayre  bespake  : 
"  Ye  bene  right  hart-amated,*  gratious  Lord, 

1  Guiltie,  stained  with  the  color  of  guilt. 

2  I.  e.  in  place  of  the  child's  natural  whiteness. 

8  Bord,  address.  *  Amuteil,  astonished. 

III.  3.  —  So  love,  &!>..]    "  Entire  affection  liateth  nice?:  hands." 
—  Book  I.  Canto  VTH.  stanza  40.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    II.  29.i> 

And  of  your  ignorance  gi-eat  merveill  make, 
Whiles  cause  not  well  conceived  ye  mistake 
But  know,  that  secret  vertues  are  infusd 
In  every  fountaine,  and  in  everie  lake, 
Which,  who  hath  skill  them  rightly  to  have  chusd, 
To  proofe  of  passing  wonders  hath  full  often  usd : 

6  "  Of  those,  some  were  so  from  their  sourse  indewd 
By  great  Dame  Nature,  from  whose  fruitful!  pap 
Their  welheads  spring,  and  are  with  moisture  deawd ; 
Which  feedes  each  living  plant  with  liquid  sap, 
And  filles  with  flowres  fayre  Floraes  painted  Jap : 
But  other  some,  by  guifte  of  later  grace, 

Or  by  good  prayers,  or  by  other  hap, 
Had  vertue  pourd  into  their  waters  bace, 
And   thenceforth    were   renowmd,  and  sought  from 
place  to  place. 

7  "  Such  is  this  well,  wrought  by  occasion  straunge. 
Which  to  her  ^  nymph  befell.     Upon  a  day. 

As  she  the  woodes  with  bow  and  shaftes  did  raunge, 
The  hartlesse-  hynd  and  robucke  to  dismay, 
Dan  Faunus  chaunst  to  meet  her  by  the  way, 
And,  kindling  fire  at  her  faire-burning  eye, 
Inflamed  was  to  follow  beauties  pray. 
And  chaced  her,  that  fast  from  him  did  fly ; 
As  hynd  from  her,  so  she  fled  from  her  enimy. 

1  Her,  i.  e.  the  well's.  2  Hartlesse,  timid. 


VII.  7.    Pray.]     In   the  old  editions  chace,  the  word  beiii;; 
caught  from  the  next  line.     C. 


296  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

8  "  At  last,  when  fayling  breath  began  to  faint, 
And  saw  no  meanes  to  scape  ;  of  shame  affrayd. 
She  set  her  downe  to  weepe  for  sore  constraint^; 
And,  to  Diana  caUing  lowd  for  ayde, 
Her  deare  besought  to  let  her  die  a  mayd. 
The  goddesse  heard  ;  and  suddeine,  where  she  sate 
"WeUing  out  streames  of  teares,  and  quite  dismayd 
With  stony  feare  of  that  rude  rustick  mate, 
Transformd  her  to  a  stone  from  stedfast  virsrins  state. 


o 


9  "  Lo !  now  she  is  that  stone  ;  from  whose  two  heads, 
As  from  two  weeping  eyes,  fresh  streames  do  flow, 
Yet  colde  through  feare  and  old  conceived  dreads  : 
And  yet  the  stone  her  semblance  seemes  to  show, 
Shapt  like  a  maide,  that  such  ye  may  her  know  ; 
And  yet  her  vertues  in  her  water  byde : 
For  it  is  chaste  and  pure  as  purest  snow, 
Ne  lets  her  waves  with  any  filth  be  dyde  ; 
But  ever,  like  herselfe,  unstayned  hath  beene  tryde.'^ 

10  "  From  thence  it  comes,  that  this  babes  bloody  hand 
May  not  be  clensd  with  water  of  this  well : 
Ne  certes.  Sir,  strive  you  it  to  withstand, 
But  let  them  still  be  bloody,  as  befell, 
That  they  his  mothers  innocence  may  tell, 
As  she  bequeathd  in  her  last  testament ; 
That,  as  a  sacred  symbol  e,  it  may  dwell 
In  her  sonnes  flesh,  to  mind*  revengement. 

And  be  for  all  chaste  dames  an  endlesse  moniment." 


1  Constraint,  perplexity  (strait).  2  Tryde,  proved, 

s  Mind,  remember  (to  avenge  her). 


BOOK    11.       CANTO    IT.  297 

1 1  He  hearkned  to  his  reason  ;  and  the  childe 
Uptaking,  to  the  Palmer  gave  to  beare  ; 
But  his  sad  fathers  arraes  with  blood  defilde, 
An  heavie  load,  himselfe  did  lightly  reare  ; 
And  turning  to  that  place,  in  which  wliyleare^ 
He  left  his  loftie  steed  with  golden  selP 

And  goodly  gorgeous  barbes/  him  found  not  theare : 
By  other  accident,  that  earst^  befell, 
He  is  convaide^  ;  but  how,  or  where,  here  fits  not  tell. 

12  Which  when  Sir  Guyon  saw,  all^  were  he  wroth, 
Yet  algates'  mote  he  soft  himselfe  appease, 

And  fairely  fare  on  foot,  however  loth  i 
His  double  burden  did  him  sore  disease.* 
So,  long  they  travelled  with  litle  ease, 
Till  that  at  last  they  to  a  castle  came, 
Built  on  a  rocke  adioyning  to  the  seas : 
It  was  an  auncient  worke  of  antique  fame, 
And  wondrous  strong  by  nature  and  by  skilfull  frame. 

13  Therein  three  sisters  dwelt  of  sundry  sort. 
The  children  of  one  syre  by  mothers  three ; 
Who,  dying  whylome,  did  divide  this  fort 


1  Whykare,  some  time  before.  5  Convnide,  stolen. 

2  Sell  saddle.  6  All,  although. 

3  Barbes,  trappings.  '  Alc/ates,  nevertheless. 

4  Earst,  before.  8  Disease,  inconvenience. 


XIII.  1.  —  Therein  three  siste7-s,  Sec]  Tliese  three  sisters  are 
named  Medina,  Perissa,  and  Elissa,  whose  names  express  that  of 
which  they  are  respectively  tj-pical.  Medina  is  Moderation,  or 
the  golden  mean;  Perissa  is  Excess;  and  Elissa,  Deficiency.  H. 


298  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

To  them  by  equall  shares  in  equall  fee  : 
But  stryfulP  mind  and  diverse  qualitee 
Drew  them  in  partes,  and  each  made  otliers  foe : 
Still  did  they  strive  and  daily  disagree ; 
The  eldest  did  against  the  youngest  goe, 
Ajad  both  against  the  middest  meant  to  worken  woe. 

u  Where  when  the  Knight  arriv'd,  he  was  right  well 
Receiv'd,  as  knight  of  so  much  worth  became, 
Of  second  sister,  who  did  far  excell 
The  other  two ;  Medina  was  her  name, 
A  sober,  sad,^  and  comely  courteous  dame  : 
Who  rich  ai-ayd,  and  yet  in  modest  guize, 
In  goodly  garments  that  her  well  became, 
Fayre  marching  forth  in  honorable  wize. 

Him  at  the  threshold  mett  and  well  did  enterprize.' 

15  She  led  him  up  into  a  goodly  bowre, 
And  comely  courted  *  with  meet  modestie ; 
Ne  in  her  speach,  ne  in  her  haviour. 
Was  lightnesse  seene  or  looser  vanitie, 
But  gratious  womanhood,  and  gravitie, 
Above  the  reason^  of  her  youthly  yeares  : 
Her  golden  lockes  she  roundly  did  uptye 
In  breaded  tramels,^  that  no  looser  heares 

Did  out  of  order  stray  about  her  daintie  eares 

i(i  Whilest  she  her  selfe  thus  busily  did  frame 
Seemely  to  entertaine  her  new-come  guest, 

1  Stryfull,  strifefull.  *  Ctnirled,  entertained 

2  Sad,  grave.  6  Reason,  proportion. 
8  Enterprize,  receive.                            *  Tramtls,  plaits. 


BOOK   H.      CANTO    II.  299 

Newes  hereof  to  her  other  sisters  came, 
Who  all  this  while  were  at  their  wanton  rest, 
Accourting  each  her  frend  with  lavish  fest : 
They  were  two  knights  of  perelesse  puissaunce, 
And  famous  far  abroad  for  warlike  sest,* 
Which  to  these  ladies  love  did  countenaunce,* 
And  to  his  mistresse  each  himselfe  strove  to  advaunce. 

17  He  that  made  love  unto  the  eldest  darae 
Was  hight  Sir  Huddibras,  an  hardy  man  ; 
Yet  not  so  good  of  deedes  as  great  of  name, 
Which  he  by  many  rash  adventures  wan, 
Since  errant  ai'mes  to  sew  he  first  began. 

More   huge  in  strength  then  wise  in   workes   he 

was. 
And  reason  with  foole-hardize  ®  over-ran  ; 
Sterne  melancholy  did  his  courage  pas ; 
And  was,  for  terrour  more,  all  arrad  in  shyning  bras. 

18  But  he  that  lov'd  the  youngest  was  Sansloy; 
He  that  faire  Una  late  fowle  outraged. 

The  most  unruly  and  the  boldest  boy  * 

That  ever  warhke  weapons  menaged. 

And  all  to  lawlesse  lust  encouraged 

Through  strong  opinion  of  his  matchlesse  might  ; 

1  Gest,  deed.  ^  Foole-hardize,  fool-hardjness 

2  Countenaunce,  make  a  show  of.   *  Boy,  youth. 


XVII.  9,.  —  Sleifte  melancholy,  &c.]     His  moroseness  or  ill-tem- 
per was  greater  than  his  courage.    H. 

XVIII.  1.  —  Sansloy.]      Sausloy  reappears  from  Book  I.  Can- 
to VI.     H. 


300  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Ne  ought  he  car'd  whom  he  endamaged 
By  tortious^  wrong,  or  whom  bereav'd  of  right; 
He,  now  this  ladies  champion,  chose  for  love  to  fight. 

19  These  two  gay  knights,  vowd  to  so  diverse  loves, 
Each  other  does  envy  with  deadly  hate, 
And  daily  warre  against  his  foeman  moves, 
In  hope  to  win  moi-e  favour  with  his  mate, 
And  th'  others  pleasing  service  to  abate. 
To  magnifie  his  owne.     But  when  they  heard 
How  in  that  place  straunge  knight  arrived  late, 
Both  knights  and  ladies  forth  right  angry  far'd,^ 

And  fercely  unto  battell  sterne  themselves  prepar'd. 

2(j  But,  ere  they  could  proceede  unto  the  place 
Where  he  abode,  themselves  at  discord  fell. 
And  cruell  combat  ioynd  in  middle  space : 
With  horrible  assault,  and  fury  fell, 
They  heapt  huge  strokes  the  scorned  life  to  quell, 
That  all  on  uprore  from  her  settled  seat 
The  house  was  raysd,  and  all  that  in  did  dwell ; 
Seemd  that  lowde  thunder  with  amazement  great 

l)id  rend  the  ratling  skyes  witli  Haraes  of  fouldring^ 
heat. 

21  The  noyse  thereof  cald  forth  that  straunger  knight, 
To  weet^  what  dreadfuU  thing  was  there  in  hond  ; 
Where  whenas  two  bi-ave  knightes  in  bloody  fight 
With  deadly  rancour  he  enraunged  fond. 


»  Tortimis,  injurious.  8  Fouldring^  flaming  with  lightning. 

2  Far'd,  went.  *  Wett,  linow. 


BOOK    II.    CANTO    II.  301 

His  sunbroad  shield  about  his  wrest  he  bond, 
And  shyning  blade  unsheathd,  with  which  he  ran 
Unto  that  stead,^  tlieir  strife  to  understond ; 
And,  at  his  first  arrivall,  them  began 
With  goodly  meanes  to  pacifie,  well  as  he  can. 

i-2  But  they,  him  spying,  both  with  greedy  forse 
Attonce  upon  him  ran,  and  him  beset 
With  strokes  of  mortall  Steele  without  remorse, 
And  on  his  shield  like  yron  sledges  bet. 
As  when  a  beare  and  tygre,  being  met 
In  cruell  fight  on  Lybicke  ocean  ^  wide, 
Espye  a  traveiler  with  feet  surbet,^ 
Whom  they  in  equall  pray  hope  to  divide. 

They  stint  their  strife,  and  him  assayle  on  everie  side. 

23  But  he,  not  like  a  weary  traveilere, 
Their  sharp  assault  right  boldly  did  rebut. 
And  suflTred  not  their  blowes  to  byte  him  nere, 
But  with  redoubled  buffes  them  backe  did  put ; 
Whose  grieved  mindes,  which  choler  did  englut,'* 
Against  themselves  turning  their  wrathful!  spight, 
Gan  with  new  rage  their  shieldes  to  hew  and  cut. 
But  still,  when  Guyon  came  to  part  their  fight. 

With  heavie  load  on  him  they  freshly  gan  to  smight. 

24  As  a  tall  ship  tossed  in  troublous  seas. 

Whom  raging  windes,  threatning  to  make  the  pray 

1  Stead,  place. 

2  Lybicke  ocean,  Africnn  desert  or  ocean  of  sand. 
8  Surbet,  bruised  with  walking. 

4  En(jlul,  till. 

VOL.    I.  25 


302  THK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Of  the  rough  rockes,  doe  cliversly  disease,-' 
Meetes  two  contrarie  billowes  by  the  way, 
That  her  on  either  side  doe  sore  assay, 
And  boast  to  swallow  her  in  greedy  grave  ; 
Shee,  scorning  both  their  spights,  does  make  wide 

way, 
And,  with  her  brest  breaking  the  fomy  wave. 
Does  ride  on  both  their  backs,  and  faire  herself  doth 

save : 

25  So  boldly  he  him  beares,  and  rusheth  forth 
Betweene  them  both,  by  conduct  of  liis  blade. 
Wondrous  great  prowesse  and  heroick  worth 
He  shewd  that  day,  and  rare  ensample  made, 
When  two  so  mighty  warriours  he  dismade : 
Attonce  he  wai'ds  and  strikes  ;  he  takes  and  paies; 
Now  forst  to  yield,  now  forcing  to  invade ; 
Before,  behind,  and  round  about  him  laies : 

So  double  was  his  paines,  so  double  be  his  praise. 

26  Straunge  sort  of  fight,  three  valiaunt  knights  to  see 
Three  combat es  ioine  in  one,  and  to  darraine' 

A  triple  warre  with  triple  enmitee, 

All  for  their  ladies  froward  love  to  gaine, 

Which,   gotten,    was    but   hate.      So    Love   does 

raine 
In  stoutest  minds,  and  maketh  monstrous  warre ; 
He  maketh  warre,  he  maketh  peace  againe. 
And  yett  his  peace  is  but  continuall  iarre. 
0  miserable  men,  that  to  him  subiect  arre ! 

1  Ih$ease,  distress.  ^  Darraine,  wage. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    II.  303 

27  Whilst  thus  they  mingled  were  in  fuinous  arraes, 
The  faire  Medina  with  her  tresses  torne 

And  naked  bi-est,  in  pitty  of  their  harmes, 
Emongst  theui  ran  ;  and,  falling  them  beforne, 
Besought  them  by  the  womb  which  them  had  born, 
And  by  the  loves  which  were  to  them  most  deare, 
And  by  the  knighthood  which  they  sure  had  sworn, 
Their  deadly  or u  ell  discord  to  forbeare. 
And  to  her  iust  conditions  of  faire  peace  to  heare. 

28  But  her  two  other  sisters,  standing  by, 

Her  lowd  gainsaid  ;  and  both  their  *  champions  bad 
Pursew  the  end  of  their  strong  enmity. 
As  ever  of  their  loves  they  would  be  glad : 
Yet  she  with  pitthy  words,  and  counsell  sad,^ 
Still  strove  their  stubborne  rages  to  revoke  ; 
That  at  the  last,  suppressing  fury  mad. 
They  gan  abstaine  from  dint  of  direfull  stroke, 
And  hearken  to  the  sober  speaches  which  she  spoke  : 

29  "  Ah  !  puissaunt  Lords,  what  cursed  evill  spright, 
Or  fell  Erinnis,^  in  your  noble  harts 

Her  hellish  brond  hath  kindled  with  despight, 
And  stird  you  up  to  worke  your  wilfull  smarts  ? 
Is  this  the  ioy  of  armes  ?  be  these  the  parts 
Of  glorious  knighthood,  after  blood  to  thrust,^ 
And  not  regard  dew  right  and  iust  desarts  ? 

1  Sad,  grave.  8  Thrust,  tliirst. 

2  Erinnis,  Fury. 

*  1st  Q.  he,r :  2d,  Iheir  champion. 


B04  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Vaine  is  the  vaunt,  and  victory  uniust, 
That  more  to  mighty  hands  then  rightful  cause  dotli 
trust. 

30  ''  And  were  there  rightfull  cause  of  difference, 
Yet  were  not  better  fayre  it  to  accord, 

Then  with  blood-guiUinesse  to  heape  offence, 
And  mortal  vengeaunce  ioyne  to  crime  abhord  ? 
O,  fly  from  wrath  !  fly,  O  my  liefest  ^  Lord ! 
Sad  be  the  sights,  and  bitter  fruites  of  warre. 
And  thousand  furies  wait  on  wrathfull  sword  : 
Ne  ought  the  praise  of  prowesse  more  doth  marre 
Then  fowle  revenging  rage,  and  base  contentious  iarre. 

31  "  But  lovely  concord,  and  most  sacred  peace, 
Doth  nourish  vertue,  and  fast  friendship  breeds  ; 
Weake  she  makes   strong,  and  strong  thing  does 

increace, 
Till  it  the  pitch  of  highest  praise  exceeds : 
Brave  be  her  warres,  and  honorable  deeds, 
By  which  she  triumphes  over  yre  and  pride. 
And  winnes  an  olive  girlond  for  her  meeds. 
Be  therefore,  O  my  deare  Lords,  pacifide. 
And  this  misseeming  ^  discord  meekely  lay  aside." 

3-2  Her  gracious  words  their  rancour  did  appall, 
And  suncke  so  deepe  into  their  boy  ling  brests, 
That  downe  they  lett  their  cruell  weapons  fall, 
And  lowly  did  abase  their  lofty  crests 
To  her  faire  presence  and  discrete  behests. 

1  Liefest,  dearest.  ^  Misseemmg,  unbecoming 


BOOK    11.       CANTO    IK  305 

Then  she  began  a  treaty  to  procure, 
And  stablish  termes  betwixt  both  their  requests, 
That  as  a  law  for  ever  should  endure ; 
Which  to  observe,  in  word  of  knights  they  did  assure. 

83  Which  to  confirme,  and  fast  to  bind  their  league, 
After  their  weary  sweat  and  bloody  toile, 
She  them  besought,  during  their  quiet  treague,^ 
Into  her  lodging  to  repaire  a  while, 
To  rest  themselves,  and  grace  to  reconcile. 
They  soone  consent :  So  forth  with  her  the}'  fare  ; 
Where  they  are  well  receivd,  and  made  to  spoile 
Themselves  of  soiled  armes,  and  to  prepare 

Their  minds  to  pleasure,  and  their  mouths  to  dainty 
fare. 

34  And  those  two  froward  sisters,  their  faire  loves, 
Came  with  them  eke,  all  "^  were  they  wondrous  loth, 
And  fained  cheare,  as  for  the  time  behoves  ; 

But  could  not  colour  yet  so  well  the  troth,* 
But  that  their  natures  bad  appeard  in  both  : 
For  both  did  at  their  second  sister  grutch 
And  inly  grieve,  as  doth  an  hidden  moth 
The  inner  garment  frett,  not  th'  utter  *  touch  ; 
One  thought  her  cheare  too  litle,  th'  other  thought  too 
mutch. 

35  Ehssa  (so  the  eldest  hight)  did  deeme 

Such  entertainment  base,  ne  ought  would  eat, 

1  Trengue,  trace.  '  Troth,  trath. 

2  All,  although.  *  T/tter,  outer. 


306  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Ne  ought  would  speake,  but  evermore  did  seeme 
As  discontent  for  want  of  merth  or  meat ; 
No  solace  ^  could  her  paramour  intreat 
Her  once  to  show,  ne  court,'-  nor  dalliaunce ; 
But  with  bent,  lowring  browes,  as  she  would  threat, 
She  scould,  and  frownd  with  froward  countenaunce  ; 
Unworthy  of  faire  ladies  comely  governaunce. 

36  But  young  Perissa  was  of  other  mynd, 
Full  of  disport,  still  laughing,  loosely  light, 
And  quite  contrary  to  her  sisters  kynd^  ; 
No  measure  in  her  mood,  no  rule  of  right, 
But  poured  out  in  pleasure  and  delight : 
In  wine  and  meats  she  flowd  above  the  banck. 
And  in  excesse  exceeded  her  owne  might ; 
In  sumptuous  tire**  she  ioyd  her  selfe  to  pranck,^ 

But  of  her  love  too  lavish :  litle  have  she  thanck  ! 

57  Fast  by  her  side  did  sitt  the  bold  Sansloy, 
Fitt  mate  for  such  a  mincing  mineon,® 
Who  in  her  loosenesse  tooke  exceeding  ioy ; 
Might  not  be  found  a  francker''  franion,^ 
Of  her  leawd  parts  to  make  companion. 
But  Huddibras,  more  like  a  malecontent, 
Did  see  and  grieve  at  his  bold  fashion  ; 
Hardly  could  he  endure  his  hardiment  ^ ; 

Yett  still  he  satt,  and  inly  did  himselfe  torment. 

1  Solace,  mirth.  6  Mincing  mineon,  affected  wanton 

2  Court,  courtesy.  '  Francker,  freer. 

8  Kynd,  nature.  8  Franion,  gay  companion. 

<  Tire,  dress.  ^  Hardiment,  bold  deportment. 

5  Pranck,  adorn 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    II.  307 

38  Betwixt  them  both  the  faire  Medina  sate 
With  sober  grace  and  goodly  carriage  : 
With  equall  measure  she  did  moderate 
The  strong  extremities  of  their  outrage  ; 
That  forward  paire  she  ever  Avould  asswage, 
When  they  would  strive  dew  reason  to  exceed ; 
But  that  same  froward  twaine  would  accorajje,* 
And  of  her  plenty  adde  unto  their  need : 

So  kept  she  them  in  order,  and  herselfe  in  heed. 

39  Thus  fairely  shee  attempered  her  feast, 
And  pleasd  them  all  with  meete  satiety : 

At  last,  when  lust  of  meat  and  drinke  was  ceast, 
She  Guyon  deare  besought  of  curtesie 
To  tell  from  whence  he  came  through  ieopardy, 
And  whether  now  on  new  adventure  bownd  : 
Who  with  bold  grace,  and  comely  gravity, 
Di-awing  to  him  the  eies  of  all  arownd, 
From  lofty  siege  ^  began  these  words  aloud  to  sownd. 

40  "  This  thy  demaund,  O  Lady,  doth  revive 
Fresh  memoi-y  in  me  of  that  great  Queene, 
Great  and  most  glorious  Virgin  Queene  alive, 
That  with  her  soveraine  power,  and  scepter  shene. 
All  Faery  lond  does  peaceably  sustene. 

In  widest  ocean  she  her  throne  does  reare, 
That  over  all  the  earth  it  may  be  seene ; 
As  morning  sunne  her  beames  dispredden  cleare  ; 
And  in  her  face  faire  peace  and  mercy  doth  appeare. 

1  Accoraye,  encourage.  2  Sier/e,  seat. 


308  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

41  "  In  her  the  richesse  of  all  heavenly  grace 
In  chiefe  degree  are  heaped  up  on  hye : 
And  all,  that  els  this  worlds  enclosure  bace 
Hath  great  or  glorious  in  mortall  eye, 
Adornes  the  person  of  her  Maiestye  ; 
That  men,  beholding  so  great  excellence 
And  rare  perfection  in  mortalitye, 

Doe  her  adore  with  sacred  reverence, 
As  th'  idole  *  of  her  Makers  great  magnificence. 

42  "  To  her  I  homage  and  my  service  owe. 

In  number  of  the  noblest  knightes  on  ground, 
Mongst  whom  on  me  she  deigned  to  bestowe 
Order  of  Maydenhead,  the  most  renownd. 
That  may  this  day  in  all  the  world  be  found. 
An  yearely  solemne  feast  she  wontes  to  hold, 
The  day  that  first  doth  lead  the  yeare  around, 
To  which  all  knights  of  worth  and  courage  bold 
Resort,  to  heare  of  straunge  adventures  to  be  told. 

43  "  There  this  old  Palmer  shewd  himselfe  that  day. 
And  to  that  mighty  Princesse  did  complaine 

Of  grievous  mischiefes,  which  a  wicked  Fay 
Had  wrought,  and  many  whelmd  in  deadly  paine, 
Whereof  he  crav'd  redresse.     My  Soveraine, 
Whose  glory  is  in  gracious  deeds,  and  ioyes 
Throughout  the  world  her  mercy  to  maintaine, 

1  Idole,  image. 

XLII.  6. — 'To  Jwld.]     All  the  old  editions  have  make,  but  the 
rhyme  justifies  the  change  to  hold.    C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    II.  309 

Eftsoones  devisd  redresse  for  such  annoyes  : 
Me.  all  unfitt  for  so  great  pui-pose,  she  employes. 

44  "  Now  hath  faire  Phebe  with  her  silver  face 
Thrise  seene  the  shadowes  of  the  neather  world. 
Sith  last  I  left  that  honorable  place, 

In  which  her  roiall  presence  is  enrold ; 
Ne  ever  shall  I  rest  in  house  nor  hold, 
Till  I  that  false  Acrasia  have  wonne  ; 
Of  whose  fowle  deedes,  too  hideous  to  bee  told, 
I  witnesse  am,  and  this  their  wretched  sonne 
Whose  wofuU  parents  she  hath  wickedly  fordonne."  * 

45  "  Tell  on,  fayre  Sir,"  said  she,  "  that  dolefull  tale. 
From  which  sad  ruth  does  seeme  you  to  restraine. 
That  we  may  pitty  such  unhappie  bale,^ 

And  learne  from  Pleasures  poyson  to  abstaine : 
111,  by  ensaraple,  good  doth  often  gayne." 
Then  forward  he  his  purpose  gan  pursew, 
And  told  the  story  of  the  mortall  payne. 
Which  Mordant  and  Amavia  did  rew  ; 
As,  with  lamenting  eyes,  himselfe  did  lately  vew. 

46  Night  was  far  spent ;  and  now  in  ocean  deep 
Orion,  flying  fast  from  hissing  Snake, 

1  Fordonne,  ruined.  2  Bale,  sorrow. 

XLIV.  i.  — Enrold.]  The  First  Edition  has  entrold,  the  others 
inCrold,  neither  of  wliich  words  appears  to  be  English.  Enrold  does 
not  jneld  a  sense  altogether  satisfactory,  but  may  be  explained 
set  fcrth,  inclosed,  or  contained.     C. 

XLVI.  2.  —  Orion  sets  when  the  Scorpion  rises,  and  they  are 
never  seen  together  in  the  same  hemisphere. 


310  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

His  flaming  head  did  hasten  for  to  steep, 
When  of  his  pitteous  tale  he  end  did  make : 
Whilst  with  delight  of  that  he  wisely  spake 
Those  guestes  beguyled  did  beguyle  tlieir  eyes 
Of  kindly  sleepe,  that  did  them  overtake. 
At  last,  when  they  had  markt  the  chaunged  skyes, 
They  wist  their  houre  was   spent ;  then  each  to  rest 
him  hyes.* 


*  Spenser,  in  his  letter  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  states  that  a 
Palmer  appeared  at  the  court  of  the  Faerie  Queene,  bearing  a  babe 
with  bloody  hands,  whose  parents  had  fallen  victims  to  Acrasia, 
and  that  the  adventure  of  subduing  her  was  consequently  assigned 
to  Sir  Guyon ;  but  from  Sir  Guyon's  own  account,  it  seems  that 
the  Palmer  came  alone  to  the  court  of  the  Faerie  Queene,  and 
complained  of  Acrasia,  and  that  he  fell  in  with  the  babe  and  its 
parents  after  he  had  set  forth  upon  the  adventure.   H. 


BOOK   II,      CANTO   III.  311 


CANTO   III. 


Vaine  Braggadocchio,  getting  Guy- 
ons  horse,  is  made  the  scorne 

Of  knighthood  trew,  and  is  of  fayre 
Belphoebe  fowle  forlorne.l 


1  SooNE  as  the  morrow  fayre  with  purple  beames 
Disperst  the  shadowes  of  the  misty  night, 
And  Titan,  playing  on  the  eastern  strearaes, 
Gan  cleare  the  deawy  ayre  with  springing  light ; 
Sir  Guyon,  mindful!  of  his  vow  yplight,- 
Uprose  fi'om  drowsie  couch,  and  him  addrest 
Unto  the  iourney  which  he  had  behight^  : 
His  puissaunt  armes  about  his  noble  brest, 
A.nd  many-folded  shield  he  bound  about  his  wrest. 

2  Then,  taking  conge  *  of  that  Virgin  pure, 
The  bloody-handed  babe  unto  her  truth 
Did  earnestly  committ,  and  her  coniure 
In  vertuous  lore  to  traine  his  tender  youth, 
And  all  that  gentle  noriture  ensueth  ®  ; 
A.nd  that,  so  soone  as  ryper  yeares  he  raught,' 

1  Forhme,  forsaken.  *  Congi,  leave. 

2  Yplight,  plighted.  6  Ensueth,  follows,  belongs  to. 

3  Behight,  promised.  *  Raught,  reached. 


312  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE, 

He  might,  for  memory  of  that  dayes  ruth,^ 
Be  called  Ruddymane  ^ ;  and  thereby  taught 
T'  avenge  his  parents  death  on  them  that  had  it  wrought. 

3  So  forth  he  far'd,  as  now  befell,  on  foot, 
Sith  his  good  steed  is  lately  from  him  gone  ; 
Patience  perforce :  helplesse  what  may  it  boot 
To  frett  for  anger,  or  for  griefe  to  mone  ? 

His  Palmer  now  shall  foot  no  more  alone. 
So  fortune  wrought,  as  under  greene  woodes  syde 
He  lately  hard  that  dying  Lady  grone, 
He  left  his  steed  without,  and  speare  besyde, 
And  rushed  in  on  foot  to  ayd  her  ere  she  dyde. 

4  The  whyles  a  losell  ^  wandring  by  the  way, 
One  that  to  bountie^  never  cast  his  mynd, 
Ne  thought  of  honour  ever  did  assay 

His  baser  brest,  but  in  his  kestrell  kynd  * 
A  pleasing  vaine  of  glory  ®  he  did  fynd. 
To  which  his  flowing  toung  and  troublous  spright 
Gave  him  great  ayd,  and  made  him  more  inclynd ; 
He,  that  brave  steed  there  finding  ready  dight, 
Purloynd  both  steed  and  speai'e,  and  ran  away  full  light. 

6  Now  gan  his  hart  all  swell  in  iollity. 
And  of  himselfe  great  hope  and  help  conceiv'd, 
That  puffed  up  with  smoke  of  vanity, 

1  Ruth,  sorrow.  «  Gbry,  boasting. 

2  Ruddymane,  red-lianded. 

8  Losell,  a  worthless  fellow,  lost  to  all  goodness. 

*  Bountie,  goodness. 

6  Kestrell  kynd,  base  nature.    Kestrell  is  a  wortliless  hawk. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO    III.  313 

And  with  selfe-loved  personage  deceiv'd, 
He  gan  to  hope  of  men  to  be  receiv'd 
For  such  as  he  him  thought,  or  faine  would  bee : 
But  for  in  court  gay  portaunce  ^  he  perceiv'd, 
And  gallant  shew  to  be  in  greatest  gree,^ 
Eftsoones  to  court  he  cast^  t'  advaunce  his  first  degree.* 

6  And  by  the  way  he  chaunced  to  espy 
One  sitting  ydle  on  a  sunny  banck, 

To  whom  avaunting^  in  great  bravery, 
As  peacocke  that  his  painted  plumes  doth  pranck,® 
He  smote  his  courser  in  the  trembling  flanck, 
And  to  him  threatned  his  hart-thrilling  speare : 
The  seely  "^  man,  seeing  him  ryde  so  ranck  ^ 
And  ayme  at  him,  fell  flatt  to  ground  for  feare, 
And  crying  "  Mercy !  "  loud,  his  pitious  handes  gan 
reare. 

7  Thereat  the  Scarcrow  wexed  wondrous  prowd, 
Through  fortune  of  his  first  adventure  fayre, 
And  with  big  thundring  voice  revyld  him  lowd : 
"  Vile  caytive,  vassall  of  dread  and  despayre, 
Unworthie  of  the  commune  breathed  ayre, 
Why  livest  thou,  dead  dog,  a  lenger^  day, 
And  doest  not  unto  death  thyselfe  prepayre  ? 
Dy,  or  thyselfe  my  captive  yield  for  ay  : 

Great  favour  I  thee  graunt  for  aunswere  thus  to  stay." 

1  Portaunce,  bearing.  6  Pranck,  display. 

2  Gree,  favor.  7  Seely,  simple. 
8  Cast,  de\nsed.  8  Ranck,  fierce 

*  Derjree,  step.  9  Lenger,  longer. 

6  Avaunting,  showing  oflf. 


314  THE    FAERIE    QOEENE. 

0  "  Hold,  0  deare  Lord,  hold  your  dead-doing  hand,' 
Then  loud  he  cryde,  "  I  am  your  humble  thrall." 
"  Ah  wretch,"  quoth  he,  "  thy  destinies  withstand 
My  wrathfuU  will,  and  doe  for  mercy  call. 
I  give  thee  life :  Therefore  prostrated  fall, 
And  kisse  my  stirrup  ;  that  thy  homage  bee." 
The  miser  ^  threw  himselfe,  as  an  oflPall, 
Streight  at  his  foot  in  base  humilitee, 
And  cleeped  ^  him  his  liege,  to  hold  of  him  in  fee. 

9  So  happy  peace  they  made  and  faire  accord. 
Eftsoones  ^  this  liegeman  gan  to  wexe  more  bold, 
And,  when  he  felt  the  folly  of  his  lord. 
In  his  owne  kind  he  gan  himselfe  unfold  : 
For  he  was  wylie-witted,  and  growne  old 
In  cunning  sleightes  and  practick  *  knavery. 
From  that  day  forth  he  cast  ^  for  to  uphold 
His  ydle  humour  with  fine  flattery. 
And  blow  the  bellowes  to  his  swelling  vanity. 

10  Trompart,®  fitt  man  for  Braggadochio 
To  serve  at  court  in  view  of  vaunting  eye ; 
Vaine-glorious  man,  when  fluttring  wind  does  blow 
In  his  light  winges,  is  lifted  up  to  skye  ; 
The  scorne  of  knighthood  and  trew  chevalrye, 

1  Miser,  wretch.  ^  Practick,  artful. 

2  Cleeped,  called.  ^  Cast,  contrived. 

8  Eftsoones,  immediately.  ^  Trompart,  i.  e.  deceiver. 


VIII.  9.  —  And  cleeped  him,  &c.]  He  acknowledged  himself  to 
be  his  vassal,  as  if  he  had  been  his  tenant,  and  held  lands  of  him 
as  his  liege-lord.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    III.  315 

To  thinke,  without  desert  of  gentle  deed 
And  noble  worth,  to  be  advaunced  hye; 
Such  prayse  is  sliame ;  but  honour,  vertues  meed, 
Doth  beare  the  fayrest  flowre  in  honourable  seed. 

11  So  forth  they  pas,  a  well  consorted  payre, 
Till  that  at  length  with  Ai'chimage  they  meet: 
Wlio  seeing  one,  that  shone  in  armour  fayre, 
On  goodly  courser  thondring  with  his  feet, 
Eftsoones  supposed  him  a  person  meet 
Of  his  revenge  to  make  the  instrument : 
For  since  the  Redcrosse  Knight  he  erst  did  weet  ^ 
To  beene  with  Guyon  knitt  in  one  consent, 

The  ill,  w^hich  earst  to  him,  he  now  to  Guyon  ment." 

n  And  comming  close  to  Trompart  gan  inquere 
Of  him  what  mightie  warriour  that  mote  bee, 
That  rode  in  golden  sell^  with  single  spere, 
But  wanted  sword  to  wreake  his  enmitee. 
"  He  is  a  great  adventurer,"  said  he, 
"  That  hath  his  sword  through  hard  assay  ^  forgone," 
And  now  hath  vowd,  till  he  avenged  bee 
Of  that  despight,®  never  to  wearen  none  ; 

That  speare  is  him  enough  to  doen''  a  thousand  grone." 

1  Weet,  know.  6  Forgone,  lost. 

2  Merit,  intended.  6  Desjmjht,  injury. 
8  Sell,  saddle.  '  Doen,  make. 

*  Asmy,  enterprise. 


XI.  3. —  In  armour  fayre.]  Braggadochio  had  stolen  Sir  Guy- 
on's  horse  and  spear;  but  it  does  not  appear  how  he  came  into 
Dossessiou  of  the  armor  he  wore.    II. 


316  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

13  Th'  Enchaunter  greatly  ioyed  in  the  vaunt, 
And  weened  well  ere  long  his  will  to  win, 
And  both  his  foen  with  equall  foyle  to  daunt : 
Tho  to  him  louting^  lowly  did  begin 
To  plaine  of  wronges,  wliich  had  committed  bin 
By  Guyon,  and  by  that  false  Redcrosse  Knight ; 
Wliich  two,  througli  treason  and  deceiptfuU  gin,- 
Ilad  slayne  Sir  Mordant  and  his  lady  bright : 

That  mote  him  honour  win,  to  wreak  ^  so  foule  despight. 

ii  Therewith  all  suddeinly  he  seemd  enragd, 

And  threatned  death  with  dreadfuU  countenaunce, 
As  if  their  lives  had  in  his  hand  beene  gagd  *  ; 
And  with  stiffe  force  shaking  his  mortall  launce, 
To  let  him  weet  his  doughtie  valiaunce, 
Thus  said  :  "  Old  man,  great  sure  shal  be  thy  meed, 
If,  where  those  knights  for  feare  of  dew  vengeaunce 
Doe  lurke,  thou  certeinly  to  mee  areed,^ 

That  I  may  wreake^  on  them  their  hainous  hateful 
deed." 

15  "  Certes,  my  Lord,"  said  he,  "  that  shall  I  soone, 
And  give  you  eke  good  helpe  to  their  decay,® 
But  mote  I  wisely  you  advise  to  doon. 
Give  no  ods  to  your  foes,  but  doe  purvay'' 
Yourselfe  of  sword  before  that  bloody  day  ; 
For  they  be  two  the  prowest  knights  on  grownd, 
And  oft  approv'd  in  many  hard  assay  * ; 

1  Louting,  bending.  *  Areed,  declare. 

'^  Gin,  snare.  ^  Decay,  destruction. 

8  Wreak,  avenge.  "^  Punay,  provide. 

♦  (Jagd,  put  as  pledges.  8  Assay,  enterprise. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    111.  317 

And  eke  of  surest  Steele,  that  may  be  fownd, 
Doe  arme  yourself  against  that  day,  them  to  confownd." 

16  "  Dotard,"  saide  he,  "  let  be  thy  deepe  advise  ; 
Seemes  that  through  many  yeares  thy  wits  thee  faile, 
And  that  weake  eld*  hath  left  thee  nothing  wise, 
Els  never  should  thy  iudgement  be  so  frayle 

To  measure  manhood  by  the  sword  or  mayle. 
Is  not  enough  fowre  quarters  of  a  man, 
Withouten  sword  or  shield,  an  hoste  to  quayle  ? 
Thou  litle  wotest  ^  what  this  risrht-hand  can : 
Speake  they,  which  have  beheld  the  battailes  which 
it  wan." 

17  The  man  was  much  abashed  at  his  boast ; 
Yet  well  he  wist  that  whoso  would  contend 
With  either  of  those  knightes  on  even  coast,' 
Should  neede  of  all  his  armes  him  to  defend ; 
Yet  feared  least  his  boldnesse  should  offend : 
When  Bracrsradocchio  saide  :  "  Once  I  did  sweare, 
When  with  one  sword  seven  knightes  I  brought  to 

end. 
Thenceforth  in  battaile  never  sword  to  beare. 
But  it  were  that  which  noblest  knight  on  earth  doth 
weare." 

18  "Perdy,  Sir  Knight,"   saide  then  tli'  Enchaunter 

blive,^ 
"That  shall  I  shortly  purchase^  to  your  bond: 

1  Eld,  age.  ■*  Blive,  quickly. 

2  WoUst,  kiiowest.  5  Purchase,  procure. 
8  Coast,  cost  (terms). 

voi,    I.  26 


318  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

For  now  the  best  and  noblest  knight  alive 
Prince  Arthur  is,  that  wonnes^  in  Faerie  lond; 
He  hath  a  sword,  that  flames  like  burning  brond: 
The  same,  by  my  device,  I  undertake 
Shall  by  to  moiTow  by  thy  side  be  fond." 
At  which  bold  word  that  boaster  gan  to  quake, 
And  wondred  in  his  rainde  what  mote  that  monster 
make.^ 

19  He  stayd  not  for  more  bidding,  but  away 
Was  suddein  vanished  out  of  his  sight : 
The  northerne  winde  his  wings  did  broad  display 
At  his  commaund,  and  reai'ed  him  up  light 
From  of  the  earth  to  take  his  aerie  flight. 
They  lookt  about,  but  no  where  could  espye 
Tract  of  his  foot :  then  dead  through  great  affright 
They  both  nigh  were,  and  each  bad  other  flye  : 

Both  fled  attonce,  ne  ever  backe  retourned  eye  ; 

10  Till  that  they  come  unto  a  forrest  greene. 

In  which   they   shrowd  themselves  from  causeles 

feare : 
Yet  feare  them  foUowes  still,  where  so  they  beene  : 
Each  trembling  leafe  and  whistling  wind  tliey  heare, 
As  ghastly  bug,^  does  greatly  them  atfeare : 
Yet  both  doe  strive  their  fearefulnesse  to  faine. 
At  last  they  heard  a  home  that  shrilled  cleai'e 
Throughout  the  wood  that  ecchoed  againe, 

A.nd  made  the  forrest  ring,  as  it  would  rive  in  twaine. 


1  Wbnnes,  lives.  ^  jSuy^  any  object  of  terror,  goblin. 

2  Monster  make,  eflect  that  miracle. 


BOOK    11.       CANTO    III.  319 

ii  Eft*  through  the  thicke^  they  heard  one  rudely 
rush ; 
With  noyse  whereof  he  from  his  loftie  steed 
Downe  fell  to  ground,  and  crept  into  a  bush, 
To  hide  his  coward  head  from  dying  dreed. 
But  Trompart  stoutly  stayd  to  taken  heed 
Of  what  might  hap.     Eftsoone  there  stepped  foorth 
A  goodly  Ladie  clad  in  hunters  weed, 
That  seemd  to  be  a  woman  of  great  worth, 

And  by  her  stately  portance^  borne  of  heavenly  birth. 

22  Her  face  so  faire,  as  flesh  it  seemed  not, 
But  hevenly  poui-traict  of  bright  angels  hew, 
Cleare  as  the  skye,  withouten  blame*  or  blot, 
Through  goodly  mixture  of  complexions  dew  ; 
And  in  her  cheekes  the  verraeill  red  did  shew 
Like  roses  in  a  bed  of  lillies  shed, 

The  which  ambrosiall  odours  from  them  threw. 
And  gazers  sence  with  double  pleasure  fed, 
Hable  to  heale  the  sicke  and  to  revive  the  ded. 

23  In  her  faire  eyes  two  living  lamps  did  flame, 
Kindled  above  at  th'  Hevenly  Makers  light, 
And  darted  fyrie  beames  out  of  the  same. 
So  passing  persant,^  and  so  wondrous  bright, 

1  Eft,  afterwards.  *  Blame,  blemish,  spot 

2  Thicke,  thicket.  ^  Persant,  piercing, 
s  Portance,  carriage. 


XXI.  7.  — A  yoodly  Ladie.]  In  the  beautiful  and  elaborale 
portrait  of  Beljjhcebe,  Spenser  has  drawn  a  flattered  likeness  of 
Queen  Elizabeth.    H. 


320  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  quite  bereav'd  the  rash  beholders  sight: 
In  them  the  blinded  god  his  lustfuU  fyre 
To  kindle  oft  assayd,  but  had  no  might ; 
For,  with  dredd  raaiestie  and  awfuU  yre, 
She  broke  his  wanton  darts,  and  quenched  bace  desyre. 

S4  Her  yvorie  forhead,  full  of  bountie  bi'ave. 
Like  a  broad  table  ^  did  itselfe  dispred, 
For  Love  his  loftie  triumphes  to  engrave, 
And  write  the  battailes  of  his  grea^  godhed  : 
All  good  and  honour  might  therein  be  red  ; 
For  there    their   dwelling  was.     And,  when  she 

spake, 
Sweete  wordes,  like  dropping  honny,  she  did  shed ; 
And  twixt  the  perles  and  rubins^  softly  brake 

A  silver  sound,  that  heavenly  musicke  seemd  to  make. 

25  Upon  her  eyelids  many  Graces  sate. 
Under  the  shadow  of  her  even  browes, 
Working  belgardes^  and  amorous  retrate,^ 
And  everie  one  her  with  a  grace  endowes, 
And  everie  one  with  meekenesse  to  her  bowes  : 
So  glorious  mirrhour  of  celestiall  grace. 

And  soveraine  moniment  of  raortall  vowes. 
How  shall  frayle  pen  descrive  her  heavenly  face, 
For  feare,  through  want  of  skill,  her  beauty  to  disgrace ! 

26  So  faire,  and  thousand  thousand  times  more  faire, 
She  seemd,  when  she  presented  was  to  sight ; 


1  Table,  tablet.  8  Belgardes,  sweet  looks. 

"  Rubins,  rubies.  *  Betraie,  expression  (of  countenance) 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    III.  321 

And  was  yclad,  for  heat  of  scorching  aire, 
All  in  a  silken  camus^  lilly  whight, 
Purfled^  upon  with  many  a  folded  plight,^ 
"Which  all  above  besprinckled  was  throughout 
With  golden  aygulets,*  that  glistred  bright 
Like  twinckling  starres  ;  and  all  the  skirt  about 
Was  hemd^  with  golden  fringe. 

27  Below  her  ham  her  weed  ®  did  somewhat  trayne, 
And  her  streight  legs  most  bravely  were  embayld" 
In  gilden  buskins  of  costly  cordwayne,^ 
All  bard  with  golden  bendes,^  which  were  entayld^*^ 
With  curious  antickes,"  and  full  fayre  aumayld  ^'^ : 
Before,  they  fastned  were  under  her  knee 
In  a  rich  iewell,  and  therein  entrayld  ^^ 
The  ends  of  all  the  knots,  that  none  might  see 

How  they  within  their  fouldings  close  enwrapped  bee : 

as  Like  two  faire  marble  pillours  they  were  scene. 
Which  doe  the  temple  of  the  gods  support, 
Whom  all  the  people  decke  with  girlands  greene, 
And  honour  in  their  festivall  resort ; 
Those  same  with  stately  grace  and  princely  port 
She  taught  to  tread,  when  she  herselfe  would  grace ; 
But  with  the  woody  nymphes  when  she  did  play,^* 

1  Camus,  a  light,  loose  robe.  5  ffemcl,  bordered. 

2  Purfled,  trimmed  or  flounced.       6  Weed,  dress. 

3  Fliyht,  plait.  "^  Einhayld,  bound  up. 

<  Aygulels,  (here)  spangles.  8  Cordwayne,  Spanish  leather. 

9  Bard  with  hendes,  crossed  with  stripes. 
10  Entnyld,  engraved,  cut.  12  Aumayld,  enamelled. 

"  I.  e.  odd  devices.  ^^  Entrayld,  twisted  together 

I*  Play,  probably  a  misprint  for  sjmt. 


322  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Or  when  the  flying  libbard^  she  did  chace, 
She  could  them  nimbly  move,  and  after  fly  apace. 

29  And  in  her  hand  a  sharpe  bore-speare  she  held, 
And  at  her  backe  a  bow  and  quiver  gay, 

Stuft  with  steele-headed  dartes  wherewith  she  queld 
The  salvage  beastes  in  her  victorious  play, 
Knit  with  a  golden  bauldricke  which  forelay 
Athwart  her  snowy  brest,  and  did  divide 
Her  daintie  paps  ;  which,  like  young  fruit  in  May, 
Now  httle  gan  to  swell,  and  being  tide, 
Through  her  thin  weed,  their  places  only  signifide. 

30  Her  yelloAV  lockes,  crisped  like  golden  wyre. 
About  her  shoulders  weren  loosely  shed, 

And  when  the  winde  emongst  them  did  inspyre,^ 
They  waved  like  a  penon  wyde  dispred, 
And  low  behinde  her  backe  wei'e  scattered : 
And,  whether  art  it  were  or  heedelesse  hap, 
As  through  the  flouring  forrest  rash  she  fled. 
In  her  rude  ^  heares  sweet  flowres  themselves  did  lap. 
And  flourishing  fresh  leaves  and  blossomes  did  en- 
wi-ap. 

31  Such  as  Diana  by  the  sandy  shore 

Of  swift  Eurotas,  or  on  Cynthus  greene, 

1  Libbnrd,  leopard.  8  Rude,  disordered. 

2  Inspyre,  breathe. 

XXX.  1.  ner  ydl&w  lockes,  &c.]  The  yellow  locks  of  Queen 
Elizabeth  enter  largely  intc  the  descriptions  of  beauty  by  the 
poets  of  her  reign.    11. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    III.  328 

Where  all  the  nymphes  have  her  umA'ares  forlore,* 
Wandreth  alone  with  bow  and  arrowes  keene, 
To  seeke  her  game  :  or  as  that  famous  queene 
Of  Amazons,  whom  Pyrrhus  did  destroy, 
The  day  that  first  of  Priame  she  was  seene, 
Did  shew  herselfe  in  great  triumphant  ioy. 
To  succour  the  weake  state  of  sad  afflicted  Troy. 

8-2  Such  when  as  hartlesse  ^  Trompart  her  did  vew, 
He  was  dismayed  in  his  coward  minde, 
And  doubted  whether  he  himselfe  should  shew, 
Or  fly  away,  or  bide  alone  behinde ; 
Both  feare  and  hope  he  in  her  face  did  finde : 
When  she  at  last,  him  spying,  thus  bespake : 
"  Hayle,  groome  ^ ;  didst  not  thou  see  a  bleeding 

hynde. 
Whose  right  haunch  earst  ray  stedfast  arrow  strake  ? 

If  thou  didst,  tell  me,  that  I  may  her  overtake." 

33  Wherewith  reviv'd,  this  answere  forth  he  threw  : 
"  O  goddesse,  (for  such  I  thee  take  to  bee,) 
For  nether  doth  thy  face  terrestriall  shew. 
Nor  voyce  sound  mortall ;  I  avow  to  thee. 
Such  wounded  beast  as  that  I  did  not  see, 
Sith  earst*  into  this  forrest  wild  I  came. 


1  Forlore,  left.  '  Groome,  man. 

2  Hartlesse,  timid.  *  Sith  earst,  since  first. 

XXXI.  5.  —  Tliat  famcms  queene.]  Pentliesilea  was  slain  by 
Achilles.  Dares  Phrj^gius,  however,  a  favorite  authority  of  the 
romance-writers,  attributes  her  death  to  Pyrrhus,  the  son  of 
Achilles. 


324  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  mote  thy  goodlyhed  forgive  it  raee, 
To  weete  which  of  the  gods  I  shall  thee  name, 
That  unto  thee  dew  worship  I  may  rightly  frame." 

S4  To  whom  she  thus  —     But  ere  her  words  ensewd, 
Unto  the  bush  her  eye  did  suddein  glaunce, 
In  which  vaine  Braggadocchio  was  mewd,^ 
And  saw  it  stirre  :  she  lefte  her  percing  launce, 
And  towards  gan  a  deadly  shafte  advaunce, 
In  mind  to  marke  -  the  beast.     At  which  sad  stowre,"^ 
Trompart  forth  stept,  to  stay  the  mortall  chaunce, 
Out  crying  :  "  0,  whatever  hevenly  powre, 

Or  earthly  wight  thou  be,  withhold  this  deadly  howre  I 

35  "  0,  stay  thy  hand !  for  yonder  is  no  game 
For  thy  tiers  arrowes,  them  to  exercize ; 

But  loe !  my  lord,  my  liege,  whose  warlike  name 
Is  far  renowmd  through  many  bold  emprize ; 
And  now  in  shade  he  shrowded  yonder  lies." 
She  staid.     With  that  he  crauld  out  of  his  nest, 
Forth  creeping  on  his  caitive*  hands  and  thies ; 
And  standing  stoutly  up  his  lofty  crest 
Did  fiercely  shake,  and  rowze  as  comming  late  from 
rest. 

36  As  fearfull  fowle,  that  long  in  secret  cave 
For  dread  of  soring  hauke  hei'selfe  hath  hid, 
Not  caring  how,  her  silly  life  to  save. 

She  her  gay  painted  plumes  disorderid  ; 
Seeing  at  last  herselfe  from  daunger  rid, 

1  Mewd,  concealed.  8  Slowre,  danger. 

2  Marke,  make  d  mark  of.  *  Caitive,  cowardly. 


I500K   II.      CANTO    III.  .325 

Peepes  forth,  and  soono  renews  her  native  pride  ; 
She  gins  her  feathers  fowle  disfigured 
Prowdly  to  prune,*  and  sett  on  every  side ; 
So  shakes  oiFsharae,  ne  thinks  how  erstslie  did  herhide^ 

37  So  when  her  goodly  visage  he  belield, 

He  gan  himselfe  to  vaunt :  but  when  he  vewd 
Those  deadly  tooles  which  in  her  hand  she  held^ 
Soone  into  other  fitts  he  was  transmewd,^ 
Till  she  to  him  her  gracious  speach  renewd : 
"  All  haile,  Sir  Knight,  and  well  may  thee  befall,. 
As  all  the  like,  which  honor  have  pursewd 
Through  deeds  of  armes  and  prowesse  martiall ! 
All  vertue  merits  praise,  but  such  the  most  of  all*" 

38  To  whom  he  thus :  "  0  fairest  under  skie, 
Trew  be  thy  words,  and  worthy  of  thy  praise,. 
That  warlike  feats  doest  highest  glorifie. 
Therein  I  have  spent  all  my  youthly  dales, 
And  many  battailes  fought  and  many  fraies 
Throughout  the  world,  wherso  they  might  be  found, 
Endevoring  my  dreaded  name  to  raise 

Above  the  moone,  that  Fame  may  it  resound 
In  her  eternall  tromp  with  laurell  girlond  cround. 

^)  "  But  what  art  thou,  O  Lady,  which  doest  raunge 
In  this  wilde  forest,  where  no  pleasure  is. 
And  doest  not  it  for  ioyous  court  exchaunge, 
Emongst  thine  equall  peres,  where  happy  blis 
And  all  delight  does  raigne  much  more  then  this 

1  Prune,  smooth.  2  Transmewd,  changed. 


326  THE    FAERIE    QUFENE. 

There  thou  maist  love,  and  clearly  loved  be, 
And  swira  in  pleasure,  which  thou  here  doest  mis ; 
There  maist  thou   best  be  seene,  and  best  maist 
see : 
The  wood  is  fit  for  beasts,  the  court  is  fitt  for  thee." 

40  "  Whoso  in  pompe  of  prowd  estate,"  quoth  she, 
"  Does  swim,  and  bathes  himselfe  in  courtly  blis. 
Does  waste  his  dayes  in  darke  obscuritee. 

And  in  oblivion  ever  buried  is : 
Where  ease  abownds,  yt's  eath  *  to  doe  amis  : 
But  who  his  hmbs  with  labours,  and  his  mynd 
Behaves  ^  with  cares,  cannot  so  easy  mis.' 
Abroad  in  armes,  at  home  in  studious  kynd,* 
Who  seekes  with  painfull  toile,  shall  Honor  soonest 
fynd: 

41  "In  woods,  in  waves,  in  warres,  she  wonts  to  dwell. 
And  wil  be  found  with  perill  and  with  paine  ; 

Ne  can  the  man,  that  moulds  in  ydle  cell. 
Unto  her  happy  mansion  attaine  : 
Before  her  gate  High  God  did  sweate  ordaine, 
And  wakefuU  watches  ever  to  abide  : 
But  easy  is  the  way  and  passage  plaine 
To  Pleasures  pallace :  it  may  soone  be  spide, 
And  day  and  night  her  dores  to  all  stand  open  wide. 

42  "  In  princes  court  —  "    The  rest  she  would  have 

sayd. 
But  that  the  foohsh  man,  fild  with  delight 

1  Yfs  eath,  it  is  easy.  '  Ms,  err. 

2  Behaves,  occupies.  *  Kynd,  w  ay. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    III.  327 

Of  her  sweete  words  that  all  his  sence  dismayd, 
And  with  her  wondrous  beauty  ravisht  quight, 
Gan  burne  in  filthy  lust ;  and,  leaping  light, 
Thought  in  his  bastard  ^  armes  her  to  embrace. 
With  that  she,  swarving  ^  backe,  her  iavelin  bright 
Against  him  bent,  and  fiercely  did  menace : 
So  turned  her  about,  and  fled  away  apace. 

«3  Which  when  the  Pesaunt  saw,  amazd  he  stood, 
And  grieved  at  her  flight ;  yet  durst  he  nott 
Pursew  her  steps  through  wild  unknowen  wood ; 
Besides  he  feard  her  wrath,  and  threatned  shott, 
Whiles  in  the  bush  he  lay,  not  yet  forgott : 
Ne  car'd  he  greatly  for  her  presence  vayne,® 
But,  turning,  said  to  Trompart :  "  What  fowle  blott 
Is  this  to  knight,  that  lady  should  agayne 

Depart  to  woods   untoucht,  and  leave  so  proud  dis- 
dayne !  " 

44  "  Perdy,"  said  Trompart,  "  left  her  pas  at  will, 
Leatsi,  t>y  her  presence  daunger  mote  befaU. 
For  who  can  tell  (and  sure  I  feare  it  ill) 
But  that  shee  is  some  powre  celestiall  ? 
For,  whiles  she  spake,  her  great  words  did  apall 
My  feeble  corage,  and  my  heart  oppresse. 
That  yet  I  quake  and  tremble  over  alL*  " 
"  And  I,"  said  Braggadocchio,  "  thought  no  lesse, 

When  first  I  heard  her  horn  sound  with  such  ghast- 
linesse. 

1  Baslard,  base.  ^  Fayne,  useless  to  him. 

2  Swarving,  swerving.  *  Over  all,  everj'whore. 


828  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

46  "  For  from  my  mothers  wombe  this  grace  I  liave 
M«  given  by  eternall  destiny, 
That  earthly  thing  may  not  my  corage  brave 
Dismay  with  feare,  or  cause  on*  foote  to  flye, 
But  either  hellish  feends,  or  powres  on  hye  : 
Which  was  the  cause,  when  earst  that  home  I  heard, 
Weening  it  had  beene  thunder  in  the  skye, 
I  hid  my  selfe  from  it,  as  one  aifeard  ; 

But,  when  I  other  knew,  my  selfe  I  boldly  reard. 

46  "  But  now,  for  feare  of  worse  that  may  betide. 
Let  us  soone  hence  depart."     They  soone  agree  : 
So  to  his  steed  he  gott,  and  gan  to  ride 
As  one  unfitt  therefore,  that  all  might  see 
He  had  not  trayned  bene  in  chevalree. 
Which  well  that  valiaunt  courser  did  discerne ; 
For  he  despisd  to  tread  in  dew  degree,^ 
But  chaufd  and  fom'd  with  corage  fiers  and  sterne, 

Aaid  to  be  easd  of  that  base  burden  still  did  erne.* 

1  On,  one.  «  Erm,  yearn. 

3  DoD  degree,  proper  step. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO    IV.  329 


CANTO    IV 


Goyon  does  Furor  bind  in  chaines. 

And  stops  Occasion. 
Delivers  Phaon,  and  therefore 
By  Strife  is  rayld  uppon. 


1  Ix  brave  poursuitt  of  honorable  deed, 
There  is  I  know  not  what  great  difference 
Betweene  the  vulgar  and  the  noble  seed, 
Which  unto  things  of  valorous  pretence 
Seemes  to  be  borne  by  native  influence  ; 
As  feates  of  armes  ;  and  love  to  entertaine  : 
But  chiefly  skill  to  ride  seemes  a  science 
Proper  to  gentle  blood  :  some  others  faine 

To  menage  steeds,  as  did  this  vaunter ;  but  in  vaine, 

2  But  he,  the  rightfull  owner  of  that  steede, 
Who  well  could  menage  and  subdew  his  pride. 
The  whiles  on  foot  was  forced  for  to  yeed* 
With  that  blacke  Palmer,  his  most  trusty  guide. 
Who  suffred  not  his  wandring  feete  to  slide  ; 
But  when  strong  passion,  or  weake  fleshlinesse, 

1  Yeed,  go. 


n.  1.  —  But  he,  &c.]    The  adventures  of  Sir  Guyv.n  are  re- 
sumed from  Canto  III.  stanza  3.    II. 


380  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Would  from  the  right  way  seeke  to  draw  him  wide, 
He  would,  through  temperaunce  and  stedfastneose, 
Teach  him  the  weak  to  strengthen,  and  the  Svn)rig 
suppresse. 

3  It  fortuned,  forth  faring  on- his  way. 
He  saw  from  far,  or  seemed  for  to  see, 
Some  troublous  uprore  or  contentious  fray. 
Whereto  he  di'ew  in  hast  it  to  agree.* 

A  mad  man,  or  that  feigned  mad  to  bee. 
Drew  by  the  heare  along  upon  the  grownd 
A  handsom  stripling  with  great  crueltee. 
Whom  sore  he  bett,  and  gor'd  with  many  a  wownd, 
That  cheekes  with  teares,  and  sydes  with  blood,  did  all 
abownd.^ 

4  And  him  behynd  a  wicked  hag  did  stalke. 
In  ragged  robes  and  filthy  disaray  ; 

Her  other  leg  ^  was  lame,  that  she  no'te  *  walke, 
But  on  a  staife  her  feeble  steps  did  stay  : 
Her  lockes,  that  loathly  were  and  hoarie  gray. 
Grew  all  afore,  and  loosly  hong  unrold ; 
But  all  behinde  was  bald,  and  worne  away. 
That  none  thereof  could  ever  taken  hold  ; 
And  eke  her  face  ill-favounl,  full  of  wrinckles  old. 

1  Agree,  settle.  *  N&te,  (ne  mote,)  could  not. 

2  Abinvnd,  flow. 

8  Olhtrhg,  (a  classic  idiom,)  one  of  her  two  legs  (not  her  left 
leg.)    C. 

TV.  6.  —  Grew  all  aforeJ]  Time  is  also  represented  in  pictures 
as  having  hair  only  on  the  front  of  his  head;  whence  the  expres- 
sion of  "  taking  time  by  the  forelock."    H. 


BOOK    11.       CANTO    IV.  831 

6  And,  ever  as  she  went,  her  toung  did  walke  * 
In  fowle  reproch  and  termes  of  vile  despight, 
Provoking  him,  by  her  outrageous  talke, 
To  heape  more  vengeance  on  that  wretched  wight : 
Somtimes  she  raught^  him  stones,  wherwith  to  smite; 
Sometimes  her  staiFe,  though  it  her  one  leg  were, 
Withouten  which  she  could  not  goe  upright ; 
Ne  any  evill  meanes  she  did  forbeare, 
That  might  him  move  to  wrath,  and  indignation  reare.' 

6  The  noble  Guy  on,  mov'd  with  great  remorse,* 
Approching,  first  the  Hag  did  thrust  away 
And  after,  adding  more  impetuous  furse. 
His  mighty  hands  did  on  the  Madman  lay. 
And  pluckt  him  backe ;  who,  all  on  tire  streightway, 
Against  him  turning  all  his  fell  intent, 
With  beastly  brutish  rage  gan  him  assay,^ 
And  smott,  and  bitt,  and  kickt,  and  scratcht,  and 
rent, 

And  did  he  wist  not  what  in  his  avengement. 


o 


7  And  sure  he  was  a  man  of  mickle  might, 
Had  he  had  governaunce  it  well  to  guyde  : 
But,  when  the  franiick  titt  inflamd  his  spright, 
His  force  was  vaine,  and  strooke  more  often  wyde 
Then  at  the  aymed  marke  which  he  had  eyde : 
And  oft  himselfe  he  chaunst  to  hurt  unwares, 
Whylest   reason,  blent®  through   passion,   nought 
descryde ; 

1  Walke,  move.  *  Bemorse,  pity. 

2  Raught,  reached.  6  Assay,  attack. 
8  Reart,  raise.  6  Bknt,  blindeil. 


Oo2  THE    FAERIE    QUEEKE. 

But,  as  a  blindfold  bull,  at  randon  *  fares. 
And    where    he  hits  noug-ht  knowes,  and  whom  he 
hurts  nought  cares. 

8  His  rude  assault  and  rugged  handeling 
Straunge  seemed  to  the  Knight,  that  aye  with  foe 
In  fayre  defence  and  goodly  menaging 

Of  armes  was  wont  to  fight ;  yet  nathenioe  ^ 
Was  he  abashed  now,  not  fighting  so  ; 
But,  more  enfierced  through  his  currish  play, 
Him  sternly  grypt,  and,  hailing^  to  and  fro, 
To  overthrow  him  strongly  did  assay, 
But  overthrew  himselfe  un wares,  and  lower*  lay : 

9  And  being  downe,  the  Villein  sore  did  beate 
And  bruze  with  clownish  fistes  his  manly  face  : 
And  eke  the  Hag,  with  many  a  bitter  threat. 
Still  cald  upon  to  kill  him  in  the  place.^ 

With  whose  reproch,  and  odious  menace. 
The  Knight  emboyling"  in  his  haughtie  hart 
Knitt  all  his  forces,  and  gan  soone  unbrace 
His  grasping  hold  :  so  lightly  did  upstart, 
And  drew  his  deadly  weapon  to  maintaine  his  part. 

10  Which  when  the  Palmer  saw,  he  loudly  cryde, 
"  Not  so,  0  Guyon,  never  thinke  that  so 
That  monster  can  be  maistred  or  destroyd  : 
He  is  not,  ah  !    he  is  not  such  a  foe 
As  Steele  can  wound,  or  strength  can  overthroe. 

1  Randon,  random.  *  Lower,  underneath  his  antagonist. 

2  Nnthemoe,  none  the  more.      6  In  the  place,  i.  e.  where  he  was. 
5  llaUiuti,  hiiuling.  6  Km/)oijlin>j,  boiling  with  rage. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    IV  333 

That  same  is  Furor,  cursed  cruel  wight, 
That  unto  knighthood  workes  much  shame  and  woe ; 
And  that  same  hag,  his  aged  mother,  hight^ 
Occasion  :  the  roote  of  all  wrath  and  despight. 

11  "  With  her,  whoso  will  raging  Furor  tame, 
Must  first  begin,  and  well  her  amenage^: 
First  her  restraine  from  her  reprochfull  blame 
And  evill  meanes,  with  which  she  doth  enrage 
Her  frantick  sonne,  and  kindles  his  corage  ; 
Then,  when  she  is  withdrawne  or  strong  withstood, 
It's  eath  ^  his  ydle  fury  to  aswage, 
And  calme  the  tempest  of  his  passion  wood  * : 

The  bankes  are  overtlowne  when  stopped  is  the  flood." 

1-2  Therewith  Sir  Guyon  left  his  first  emprise,® 
And,  turning  to  that  woman,  fast  her  hent® 
By  the  hoare  lockes  that  hong  before  her  eyes, 
And  to  the  ground  her  threw  :  yet  n'ould "  she  stent* 
Her  bitter  rayling  and  foule  revilement ; 
But  still  provokt  her  sonne  to  wreake^  her  wrong: 
But  nathelesse  he  did  her  still  torment, 
And,  catching  hold  of  her  ungratious  tonge, 

Thereon  an  yron  lock  did  fasten  firme  and  strung. 

J  Bight,  is  named.  ^  Ifenf,  seized. 

2  Amenage,  manage.  ''  N'ould,  would  not. 

3  Lalh,  easy.  8  Stent,  stop. 

*  Wiiod,  mad.  9  Wreake,  avenge. 

6  Emprise,  enterprise. 


XI.  9.  —  When  slopped  is  the  flood.]  The  advice  of  the  Palmer 
teaches  us  that  the  only  way  in  wiiich  a  habit  of  passion  is  to  bo 
conquered,  is  by  being  on  our  guard  against  those  particui.ir  oc- 
casions which  call  it  into  exercise.    H. 

VOL.    I.  27 


334  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

13  Then,  whenas  use  of  speach  was  from  her  reft, 
With  her  two  crooked  handes  she  signes  did  make, 
And  beckned  him  ;  the  last  help  she  had  left : 
But  he  that  last-left  helpe  away  did  take, 

And  both  her  handes  fast  bound  unto  a  stake, 
That  she  note^  stirre.     Then  gan  her  sonne  to  flye 
Full  fast  away,  and  did  her  quite  forsake : 
But  Guyon  after  him  in  hast  did  hye, 
And  soone  him  overtooke  in  sad  perplexitye. 

14  In  his  strong  amies  he  stifly  him  embraste, 
Who  him  gain-striving-  nought  at  all  prevaild ; 
For  all  his  power  was  utterly  defaste,^ 

And  furious  fitts  at  earst*  quite  weren^  quaild : 
Oft  he  re'nforst,®  and  oft  his  forces  fayld, 
Yel  yield  he  would  not,  nor  his  rancor  slack. 
Then  him  to  ground  he  cast,  and  rudely  hayld,' 
And  both  his  hands  fast  bound  behind  his  backe, 
And  both  his  feet  in  fetters  to  an  yron  rack. 

15  With  hundred  yron  chaines  he  did  him  bind, 
And  hundred  knots,  that  did  him  sore  constrains : 
Yet  his  great  yron  teeth  he  still  did  grind 

And  grimly  gnash,  threatning  revenge  in  vaine  : 
His  burning  eyen,  whom  bloody  strakes*  did  staine 
Stared  full  wide,  and  threw  forth  sparkes  of  tyre ; 

1  Note,  conld  not.  ^  Weren,  were. 

2  Gain-strking,  resisting.  6  Re'nfoist,  made  new  eftbrts. 
8  Dvfaste,  overcome.  ''  IhiyUl,  luiuled. 

*  At  earst,  instantly.  8  Strakts,  streaks. 

XIII.  3.  —  ITun.]    Her  son.  —  4.  He.]     Sir  Guyon. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IV.  335 

And,  more  for  ranck  despight  then  for  great  paine, 
Shakt  his  long  locks  colourd  like  copper-wyre, 
Ajid  bitt  his  tawny  beard  to  shew  his  raging  yre. 

16  Thus  whenas  Guyon  Furor  had  captivd, 
Turning  about  he  saw  that  wretched  Squyre, 
Whom  that  mad  man  of  life  nigh  late  deprivd, 
Lying  on  ground,  all  soild  with  blood  and  myre  : 
Whom  whenas  he  perceived  to  respyre, 
He  gan  to  comfort,  and  his  woundes  to  dresse. 
Being  at  last  recured,*  he  gan  inquyre 
What  hard  mishap  him  brought  to  such  distresse, 

And  made  that  caytives  thrall,  the  thi'all  of  wretched- 
nesse. 

i7  With  hart  then  throbbing,  and  with  watry  eyes, 
"  Fayre  Sir,"  quoth  he, "  what  man  can  shun  the  hap, 
That  hidden  lyes  unwares  him  to  surpryse  ? 
Misfortune  waites  advantage  to  enti*ap 
The  man  most  wary  in  her  whelming  lap. 
So  me,  weake  wretch,  of  many  weakest  one, 

1  Recured,  restored. 


un- 


XVII.  2.  —  "  Fap-e  Sii;"  quoth  he,  &c.]  The  narrative  which 
foDows  is  fouml  in  the  fifth  book  of  the  Orlando  Kurioso;  and  will 
remind  the  reader  of  a  part  of  the  plot  of  Shakespeare's  "  Mach 
Ado  about  Nothing." 

XVII.  6. —  The  last  four  lines  of  this  stanza  are  given  as 
proved  in  the  second  edition.     In  the  first,  they  stand:  — 

"  So  me,  weake  wretch,  of  many  weakest  wretch, 
Unweeting  and  unware  of  such  mishap, 
She  brought  to  mischiefe  through  her  yuilful  trech, 
Where  this  same  wicked  Villein  did  me  wandrincj  ketch."    C 


33G  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Unweeting  and  unware  of  such  mishap, 
She  brought  to  mischiefe  through  occasion, 
Where  this  same  wicked  Villein  did  me  light  upon. 

18  "  It  was  a  faithlesse  squire,  that  was  the  sourse 
Of  all  my  sorrow  and  of  these  sad  teares, 

AVith  whom  from  tender  dug  of  commune  nourse 
Attonce  I  was  upbrought ;  and  eft,^  when  yeares 
More  rype  us  reason  lent  to  chose  our  peares,^ 
Ourselves  in  league  of  vowed  love  wee  knitt; 
In  which  we  long  time,  without  gealous  feares 
Or  faultie  thoughts,  contynewd  as  was  fitt ; 
And,  for  my  part  I  vow,  dissembled  not  a  whitt. 

19  "  It  was  my  fortune,  commune  to  that  age, 
To  love  a  lady  fayre  of  great  degree, 
The  which  was  borne  of  noble  parentage, 
And  set  in  highest  seat  of  dignitee. 

Yet  seemd  no  lesse  to  love  then  loved  to  bee  ; 
Long  I  her  serv'd,  and  found  her  faithfull  still, 
Ne  ever  thing  could  cause  us  disagree  : 
Love,  that  two  harts  makes  one,  makes  eke  one  will 
Each  strove  to  please,  and  others  pleasure  to  fulfill. 

10  "My  friend,  hight  Philemon,  I  did  partake' 
Of  all  my  love  and  all  my  privitie ; 
Who  greatly  ioyous  seemed  for  my  sake. 
And  gratious  to  that  lady,  as  to  mee  ; 
Ne  ever  wight,  that  mote  so  welcome  bee 


1  Eft,  afterwards.  *  Partake,  made  partaker. 

2  Peares,  companions. 


BOOK   H.      CANTO   IV.  337 

As  he  to  her,  withouten  blott  or  blame  ; 
Ne  ever  thing,  that  she  could  thinke  or  see, 
But  unto  him  she  would  impart  the  same : 
0  wretched  man,  that  would  abuse  so  gentle  dame  I 

21  "At  last  such  grace  I  found,  and  meanes  I  wrought, 
That  I  that  lady  to  my  spouse  had  wonne  ; 
Accord  of  friendes,  consent  of  parents  sought, 
Affyaunce  made,  my  happinesse  begonne, 

There  wanted  nought  but  few  rites  to  be  donne. 
Which  mariage  make :  That  day  too  farre  did  seeme  1 
Most  ioyous  man  on  whom  the  shining  sunne 
Did  shew  his  face,  myselfe  I  did  esteeme, 
And  that  my  falser  fiuend  did  no  lesse  ioyous  deeme. 

22  "  But,  ear  that  wished  day  his  beame  disclosd, 
He,  either  envying  my  toward  good,* 

Or  of  himselfe  to  treason  ill  disposd, 
One  day  unto  me  came  in  friendly  mood, 
And  told,  for  secret,  how  he  understood 
That  lady,  whom  I  had  to  me  assynd. 
Had  both  distaind  her  honorable  blood, 
And  eke  the  faith  which  she  to  me  did  bynd  ; 
And  therfore  wisht  me  stay,  till  I  more  truth  should 
fynd. 

23  "  The  gnawing  anguish,  and  sharp  gelosy, 
Which  his  sad  speach  infixed  in  my  brest, 
Ranckled  so  sore,  and  festred  inwardly. 
That  my  engreeved  mind  could  find  no  rest, 

1  Toward  good,  approaching  happiness. 


338  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Till  that  the  truth  thereof  I  did  out  wrest  ^ ; 
And  him  besought,  by  that  same  sacred  band 
Betwixt  us  both,  to  counsell  me  the  best : 
He  then  with  solemne  oath  and  plighted  hand 
Assurd,  ere  long  the  truth  to  let  me  understand. 

24  '*  Ere  long  with  like  againe  he  boorded  ^  mee, 
Saying,  he  now  had  boulted  all  the  floure, 
And  that  it  was  a  groome  of  base  degree, 
Which  of  my  love  was  partener  paramoure ; 
Who  used  in  a  darkesome  inner  bowre* 
Her  oft  to  meete  :  which  better  to  approve, 
He  promised  to  bring  me  at  that  howre, 
When  I  should  see  that  would  me  nearer  move, 

And  drive  me  to  withdraw  my  blind  abused  love. 

25  "  This    gracelesse    man,   for    furtherance   of  his 

guile, 
Did  court  the  handmayd  of  my  lady  deare, 
Who,  glad  t'  embosome  his  affection  vile. 
Did  all  she  might  more  pleasing  to  appeare. 
One  day,  to  worke  her  to  his  will  more  neare, 
He  woo'd  her  thus :  "  Pryene,"  (so  she  higlit,) 
"  What  great  despight  doth  fortune  to  thee  beare, 
Thus  lowly  to  abase  thy  beautie  bright. 
That  it  should  not  deface  all  others  lesser  light  ? 


1  Out  vn-est,  extort.  8  Bowre,  chamber. 

2  Boorded,  accosted. 


XXIV.  2.  —  Tlnd  boulted  all  the  floure.]    Had  sifted  the  whole 
matter.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IV.  339 

26  *' '  BuL  if  she  had  her  least  helpe  to  thee  lent, 
T'  adorne  thy  forme  according  ^  thy  desart, 
Their  blazing  pride  thou  wouldest  soone  have  blent,^ 
And  staynd  their  prayses  with  thy  least  good  part ; 
Ne  should  faire  Claribell  with  all  her  art, 
Though  she  thy  lady  be,  approch  thee  neare : 
For  proofe  thereof,  this  evening,  as  thou  art, 
Aray  thys.elfe,  in  her  most  gorgeous  geare,® 

That  I  may  more  delight  in  thy  embracement  deare.' 

27  "  The   mayden,    proud   through   praise  and   mad 

through  love, 
Him  hearkned  to,  and  soone  herselfe  arayd  ; 
The  whiles  to  me  the  treachour  *  did  remove 
His  craftie  engin  ;  and,  as  he  had  sayd. 
Me  leading,  in  a  secret  corner  layd. 
The  sad  spectatour  of  my  tragedie  : 
Where  left,  he  went,  and  his  owne  false  part  playd, 
Disguised  like  that  groome  of  base  degree. 
Whom  he  had  feignd  th'  abuser  of  my  love  to  bee. 

28  "  Eftsoones  ®  he  came  unto  th'  appointed  place, 
And  with  him  brought  Pryene,  rich  arayd. 
In  Claribellaes  clothes  :  her  proper  face 

I  not  descerned  in  that  darkesome  shade. 

But  weend  it  was  my  love  with  whom  he  playd. 

'i- According,  accoriVrng  to.  *  Treachmir,  traitor. 

2  Blent,  blinded,  eclipsed.  5  Eflsoones,  immediately. 

'  Geare,  dress. 

XXVI.  7.  — As  thou  art.]     Array  thyself  as  thou  art;  put  on  a 
rirc3s  corresponding  to  thy  beauty.    C. 


340  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

Ah  God  !  what  horrour  and  tormenting  gi-iefe 
My  hart,  my  handes,  mine  eyes,  and  all  assayd ! 
Me  liefer^  were  ten  thousand  deathes  priefe'^ 
Then  wounde  of  gealous  worme,  and  shame  of  such 
repriefe.^ 

29  "  I  home  retourning,  fraught  with  fowle  despight, 
And  chawing  vengeaunce  all  the  way  I  went, 
Soone  as  my  loathed  love  appeard  in  sight, 
"With  wrathfull  hand  I  slew  her  innocent ; 

That  after  soone  I  dearely  did  lament : 
For,  when  the  cause  of  that  outrageous  deede 
Demaunded  I  made  plaine  and  evident, 
Her  faultie  handmayd,  which  that  bale  *  did  breede, 
Confest  how  Philemon  her  wrought  to  chaunge  her 
weede. 

30  "  Which  when  I  heard,  with  horrible  affright 
And  helHsh  fury  all  enragd,  I  sought 

Upon  myselfe  that  vengeable  ^  despight 
To  punish.    Yet  it  better  first  I  thought 
To  wreake  my  wrath  on  him  that  first  it  wrought : 
To  Philemon,  false  faytour^  Plnlemon, 
I  cast''  to  pay  that  I  so  dearely  bought : 
Of  deadly  drugs  I  gave  him  drinke  anon, 
And  washt  away  his  guilt  with  guilty  potion. 

SI  "  Thus  heaping  crime  on  crime,  and  griefe  on  griefe, 
To  losse  of  love  adioyning  losse  of  frend, 

1 />ie/e?',  preferable.  6  i^e/j^eaWe,  revengeful.    St.  46. 2. 

2  Priefe,  proof,  experience.  ^  False faylour ,  deceiver. 

3  Repriefe,  reproacli.  "!  Cast,  devised. 
■*  Bale,  mischief. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IV.  341 

I  meant  to  purge  both  with  a  third  mischiefe, 
And  in  my  woes  beginner  it  to  end : 
Tliat  was  Pryene  ;  she  did  first  offend, 
She  last  should  smart.    With  which  cruell  intent, 
When  I  at  her  my  murdrous  blade  did  bend, 
She  fled  away  with  ghastly  dreriment,^ 
And  I,  poursewing  my  fell  purpose,  after  went. 

32  "  Feare  gave  her  winges,  and  rage  enforst  my  flight  ;• 
Through  woods  and  plaines  so  long  I  did  her  chace^. 
Till  this  Mad  Man,  whom  your  victorious  might. 
Hath  now  fast  bound,  me  met  in  middle  space i 

As  I  her,  so  he  me  poursewd  apace, 
And  shortly  overtooke  :  I,  breathing  yre, 
Sore  chauffed  -  at  my  stay  in  such  a  cace, 
And  with  my  heat  kindled  his  cruell  fyre  ; 
Which  kindled  once,   his  mother  did  more  rage  in+ 
spyre. 

33  "  Betwixt  them  both  they  have  me  doen  to  dye. 
Through  wounds,  and  strokes,  and  stubborne  han- 

deling, 
That  death  were  better  then  such  agony, 
As  griefe  and  fury  unto  me  did  bring ; 
Of  which  in  me  yet  stickes  the  mortall  sting, 
That  during  life  will  never  be  aj)peasd  ! " 
When  he  thus  ended  had  his  sorrowing. 
Said  Guyon  :  "  Squyre,  sore  have  ye  beene  diseasd; 
But  all  your  hurts  may  soone  through  temperance  be 

easd." 

1  Drenment,  terror.  ^  Chaufftd,  chafed. 


342  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

34  Then  gan  the  Palmer  thus  :  "  Most  wretched  man, 
That  to  affections  ^  does  the  bridle  lend ! 
In  their  beginning  they  are  weake  and  wan, 
Butsoone  through  sufF'rance gi'owe  tof'earefull  end: 
Whiles  they  are  weake,  betimes  with  them  contend; 
For,  when  they  once  to  perfect  strength  do  grow, 
Strong  warres  they  make,  and  cruell  battry  bend 
Gainst  fort  of  Reason,  it  to  overthrow  : 

Wrath,  Gelosy,  Griefe,  Love,  this  Squyre  have  laide 
thus  low. 

85  "  Wrath,  Gealosie,  Griefe,  Love,  do  thus  expell : 

Wrath  is  a  fire  ;  and  Gealosie  a  weede  ; 

Griefe  is  a  flood ;  and  Love  a  monster  fell ; 

The  fire  of  sparkes,  the  weede  of  little  seede  ; 

The  flood  of  drops,  the  monster  filth  did  breede : 

But  sparks,  seed,  drops,  and  filth,  do  thus  delay  ^; 

The  sparks  soone  quench,  the  springing  seed  out- 
weed, 

The  drops  dry  up,  and  filth  wipe  cleane  away  : 
So  shall  Wrath,  Gealosy,  Gi'iefe,  Love,  die  and  decay." 

56  "  Unlucky  Squire,"  saide  Guyon,  "  sith  thou  hast 
Falne  into  mischiefe  through  intemperaunce. 
Henceforth  take  heede  of  that  thou  now  hast  past, 
And  guyde  thy  waies  with  warie  governaunce. 
Least  worse  betide  thee  by  some  later  chaunce. 
But  read  '  how  art  thou  nam'd,  and  of  what  kin." 
"  Phaon  I  higlit,"  quoth  he,  "and  do  advaunce* 

^  AJI'ections,  p!i9,sions.  *  Advaunce,  hoiist;  perhaps,  deduce, 

2  Delnj/,  do  thou  allay,  abate. 
*  Recul,  declare. 


BOOK    11.      CANTO    IV.  343 

Mine  auncestiy  from  famous  Coradin, 
Who  first  to  rayse  our  house  to  honour  did  begin." 

»7  Thus  as  he  spake,  lo  !  far  away  they  spyde 
A  varlet*  ronning  towardes  hastily, 
Whose  flying  feet  so  fast  their  way  applyde, 
That  round  about  a  cloud  of  dust  did  fly, 
Which,  mingled  all  with  sweate,  did  dim  his  eye. 
He  soone  approched,  panting,  breathlesse,  vvhot,' 
And  all  so  soyld,  that  none  could  him  descry. 
His  countenaunce  was  bold,  and  bashed  not 

For  Guyons  lookes,  but  scornefull  ey-glaunce  at  him 
shot. 

38  Behind  his  backe  he  bore  a  brasen  shield, 
On  which  was  drawen  faire,  in  colours  fit, 
A  flaming  fire  in  midst  of  bloody  field, 
And  round  about  the  wreath  this  word^  was  writ: 
Burnt  I  doe  hurne.    Right  well  beseemed  it 
To  be  the  shield  of  some  redoubted  knight : 
And  in  his  hand  two  dartes  exceeding  flit^ 
And  deadly  sharp  he  held,  whose  heads  were  dight ' 

In  poyson  and  in  blood  of  malice  and  despight. 

}9  When  he  in  presence  came,  to  Guyon  first 

He  boldly  spake  :  "  Sir  Knight,  if  knight  thou  bee, 
Abandon  this  forestalled  place  at  erst,® 
For  feare  of  further  harme,  I  counsell  thee  ; 
Or  bide  the  chaunce  at  thine  owne  ieopardee." 

1  Varlet,  a  servant  to  a  knight.  *  Flit,  fleet. 

2  What,  hot.  5  Diffht,  prepared,  dipped 
8  Word,  motto.  6  At  erst,  instantly. 


844  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

The  Kniglit  at  his  great  boldnesse  wondered ; 
And,  though  he  scornd  his  ydle  vanitee, 
Yet  mildly  him  to  purpose  answered  ; 
For  not  to  grow  of  nought  he  it  coniectured : 

40  "  Varlet,  this  place  most  dew  to  me  I  deeme, 
Yielded  by  hira  that  held  it  forcibly : 

But  whence  shold  come  that  harme,  which  thou 

dost  seeme 
To   threat  to   him   that   mindes^   his    chaunce   t' 

abye  ^  ?  " 
"  Perdy,"  sayd  he,  "  here  comes,  and  is  hard  by, 
A  knight  of  wondrous  powre  and  great  assay, 
That  never  yet  encountred  enemy, 
But  did  him  deadly  daunt,  or  fowle  dismay ; 
Ne  thou  for  better  hope,  if  thou  his  presence  stay." 

41  "  How  hight  he  then,"  sayd   Guyon,    "  and  from 

whence  ?  " 
"  Pyrochles  is  his  name,  renowmed  farre 
For  his  bold  feates  and  hardy  confidence, 
Full  oft  approvd  in  many  a  cruell  wan"e  ; 
The  brother  of  Cymochles  ;  both  which  arre 
The  sonnes  of  old  Aerates  and  Despight : 
Aerates,  sonne  of  Phlegeton  and  larre  ; 
But  Phlegeton  is  sonne  of  Herebus  and  Night ; 
But  Herebus  sonne  of  Aeternitie  is  higrht. 


'o'^ 


1  Mindes,  is  of  a  mind.  2  Abye,  abide. 

XLI.  Pyrochles  means  fiery-tempered;  Cymochles,  fluctuating 
and  contentious  like  the  waves  of  the  sea;  Aerates,  ungoveniablo. 
1:1 'TP  i";  Dlsonnl.     C. 


BOOK   II.       CANTO    IV.  345 

\2  "  So  from  imraortall  race  he  does  proceede, 

That  mortall  hands  may  not  withstand  his  might, 
Drad  ^  for  his  derring-doe  ^  and  bloody  deed  ; 
For  all  in  blood  and  spoile  is  his  delight. 
His  am  I  Atin,®  his  in  wrong  and  right, 
That  matter  make  for  him  to  worke  upon. 
And  stirre  him  up  to  strife  and  cruell  fight. 
Fly  therefore,  fly  this  fearfuU  stead*  anon. 

Least  thy  foolhardize  worke  thy  sad  confusion." 

"  His  be  that  care  whom  most  it  doth  concerne," 
Sayd  he :  "  but  whether  with  such  hasty  flight 
Art  thou  now  bownd  ?  for  well  mote  I  discerne 
Great  cause  that  carries  thee  so  swifte  and  light." 
"  My  lord,"  quoth  he,  "  me  sent,  and  streight  be- 

hight^ 
To  seeke  Occasion,  where  so  she  bee : 
For  he  is  all  disposd  to  bloody  fight. 
And  breathes  out  wrath  and  haiuous  crueltee ; 
Hard  is  his  hap,  that  first  fals  in  his  ieopardee." 

44  "  Mad  man,"  said  then  the  Palmer,  "  that  does  seeke 
Occasion  to  wrath,  and  cause  of  strife  ; 
Shee  comes  unsought,  and  shonned  followes  eke. 
Happy  who  can  abstaine,  when  Rancor  rife 
Kindles  revenge,  and  threats  his  rusty  knife  : 
Woe  never  wants,  where  every  cause  is  caught ; 
And  rash  Occasion  makes  unquiet  life !  " 

1  Drad,  dreaded.  ^  Streiyhl  behiyhi,  sti-ictly  commanded. 

2  DerHng-doe,  bold  acts. 

*  Atin,  i.  e.  the  Mischief-maker. 
Stead,  pkice. 


346  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

"  Then  loe  !  wher  bound  she  sits,  whom  thou  hast 

sought," 
Said  Guyon ;  "  let  that  message  to  thy  lord  be 

brought." 

45  That  when  the  Varlett  heard  and  saw,  streightway 
He  wexed  wondrous  wroth,  and  said:  "  Vile  Knight, 
That  knights  and    knighthood   doest  with   shame 

upbray,! 
And  shewst  th'  ensaraple  of  thy  childishe  might, 
With  silly,  weake  old  woman  that  did*  fight ! 
Great  glory  and  gay  spoile  sure  hast  thou  gott, 
And  stoutly  prov'd  thy  puissaunce  here  in  sight ! 
That  shall  Pyrochles  well  requite,  I  wott. 
And  with  thy  blood  abolish  so  reprochfull  blott." 

46  With  that,  one  of  his  thrillant'^  darts  he  threw, 
Headed  with  yre  and  vengeable  ^  despight : 
The  quivering  Steele  his  aymed  end  wel  knew. 
And  to  his  brest  itselfe  intended  right : 

But  he  was  wary,  and,  ere  it  empight* 
In  the  meant  marke,  advaunst  his  shield  atweene. 
On  which  it  seizing  no  way  enter  might. 
But  backe  rebownding  left  the  forckhead  keene : 
Eftsoones    he  fled    away,    and   might  no  where    be 
seene. 


1  Upbrny,  upbraid,  bring  reproach  upon. 

2  Thrilldiit,  piercing.  8  Vengeable,  revengeful. 
*  Emidght,  fixed  itself. 


*  2d  Edit.  "  dms  to  fight." 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    V.  347 


CANTO    V. 


Pyrochles  does  with  Guyon  fight, 
And  Furors  chayne  uiityes, 

Who  him  sore  wounds;  whiles  Atin  to 
Cyniochles  for  ayd  flyes. 


1  Whoever  doth  to  Temperaunce  apply 
His  stedfast  life,  and  all  his  actions  frame, 
Trust  me,  shal  find  no  greater  enimy. 
Then  stubborne  Perturbation,  to  the  same ; 

To  which  right  wel  the  wise  doe  give  that  name  ,• 
For  it  the  goodly  peace  of  staied^  rnindes 
Does  overthrow,  and  troublous  warre  proclarae  : 
His  owne  woes  author,  who  so  bound  it  findes, 
A.S  did  Pyrochles,  and  it  wilfully  unbindes. 

2  After  that  Varlets  flight,  it  was  not  long 
Ere  on  the  plaine  fast  pricking  Guyon  spide 
One  in  bright  armes  embatteiled^  full  strong. 
That,  as  the  sunny  beames  doe  glaunce  and  glide 
Upon  the  trembling  wave,  so  shined  bright, 

1  Staied,  composed.  ^  Emhalteikd,  armed  for  battle. 


I.  8.  —  His  owne  woes  author,  &c.]  He  is  the  autlior  of  his  own 
woes,  wlio  finds  Perturbation  bound,  and  unbinds  him  wilfully,  as 
Pyrochles  did.  —  T'erturbation  is  the  same  as  Fwor.  H. 


3 AH  THE    FAERIE    QUEKNE. 

And  round  about  hira  threw  forth  sparkling  fire, 
That  seemd  him  to  enflame  on  every  side  : 
His  steed  was  bloody  red,  and  fomed  yre. 
When  with  the  maistring  spur  he  did  him  roughly 
stire.^ 

3  Approching  nigh,  he  never  staid  to  greete, 
Ne  chaffar  words,  prowd  corage  to  prvooke. 
But  prickt  so  fiers,  that  underneath  his  feete 
The  smouldring '-^  dust  did  rownd  about  him  smoke, 
Both  horse  and  man  nigh  able  for  to  choke ; 
And,  fayrly  couching  his  steeleheaded  speare, 
Him  first  saluted  with  a  sturdy  stroke  : 

It  booted  nought  Sir  Guyon,  comming  neare. 
To  thincke  such  hideous  puissaunce  on  foot  to  beare  ; 

4  But  lightly  shunned  it ;  and,  passing  by,' 
With  his  bright  blade  did  smite  at  him  so  fell. 
That  the  sharpe  Steele,  arriving  forcibly 

On  his  broad  shield,  bitt  not,  but  glauncing  fell 
On  his  horse  necke  before  the  quilted  sell,* 
And  from  the  head  tlie  body  sundred  quight : 
So  him  dismounted  low  he  did  compell 
On  foot  with  him  to  matchen  equall  fight ; 
The   truncked  beast   fast   bleeding   did    him   fowly 
diirht.s 


o 


b  Sore  bruzed  with  the  fall  he  slow  uprose, 
And  all  enraged  thus  him  loudly  shent®; 

1  Sti7-e,  stir,  prick.  <  Sell,  saddle. 

2  SiiumlhiiKj,  smothering.  5  l)iij]ii,  distain. 

B  Pitssiiiy  /j;/,  SIS  lie  passed  by.  <*  SIiciil,  upbraided. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    V.  349 

"  Disleall  ^  Knight,  whose  coward  corage  chose 
To  wreake  itselfe  on  beast  all  innocent, 
And  shund  the  marke  at  which  it  should  be  nient^; 
Therbj    thine   armes    seem   strong,  but  manhood 

frayl : 
So  hast  thou  oft  with  guile  thine  honor  blent*; 
But  litle  may  such  guile  thee  now  avayl. 
If  wonted  force  and  fortune  doe  me  not  much  fayl." 

6  "With  that  he  drew  his  flaming  sword,  and  strooke 
At  him  so  fiercely,  that  the  upper  marge* 

Of  his  sevenfolded  shield  away  it  tooke, 
And,  glauncing  on  his  helmet,  made  a  large 
And  open  gash  therein :  were  not  his  targe 
That  broke  the  violence  of  his  intent. 
The  weary  sowle  from  thence  it  would  discharge  ; 
Nathelesse  so  sore  a  buff  to  him  it  lent, 
That  made  him  reele,  and   to   his   brest  his  bever* 
bent. 

7  Exceeding  wroth  was  Guyon  at  that  blow. 
And  much  ashamd  that  stroke  of  livinii  arme 
Should  him  dismay,  and  make  him  stoup  so  low, 
Though  otherwise  it  did  him  litle  harme  : 
Tho,®  hurling  high  his  yron-braced '  arme, 

He  smote  so  manly  on  his  shoulder  plate. 
That  all  his  left  side  it  did  quite  disarme ; 

1  Disleall,  disloyal.  8  Bknt,  debased. 

■^  Ment,  aimed.  ■*  Mnrye,  edge,  or  rim. 

6  Bever,  the  part  of  the  helmet  which,  when  let  down,  covered 
the  face. 
6  Tho,  then.  ">  Yron-braced,  braced  with  iron  armor. 

VOL.  I.  28 


350  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE, 

Yet  there  the  Steele  stayd  not,  but  inly  bate^ 
Deepe  in  his  flesh,  and  opened  wide  a  red  floodgate. 

8  Deadly  dismayd  with  horror  of  that  dint 
Pyrochles  was,  and  grieved  eke  entyre ; 
Yet  nathemore'^  did  it  his  fury  stint, 
But  added  flame  unto  his  former  fire, 
That  wel-nigh  raolt^  his  liart  in  raging  yre: 
Ne  thencefoith  his  approved  skill,  to  ward. 
Or  strike,  or  hurtle^  rownd  in  warlike  gyre,* 
Reraembred  he,  ne  car'd  for  his  saufgard. 
But  rudely  I'ag'd,  and  like  a  cruel  tygre  far'd.* 

J  He    hewd,   and    lasht,  and  foynd,'    and  thondred 

blowes. 
And  every  way  did  seeke  into  his  life  ; 
Ne  plate,  ne  male,  could  ward  so  mighty  throwes,* 
But  yeilded  passage  to  his  cruell  knife. 
But  Guyon,  in  the  heat  of  all  his  strife, 
Was  wary  wise,  and  closely  did  awayt 
Avauntage,  whilest  his  foe  did  rage  most  rife  ; 
Sometimes  atliwart,  sometimes  he  strook  him  strayt, 
And   falsed'-*  oft  his  blowes  t' illude  him  with   such 

bayt. 

10  Like  as  a  lyon,  whose  imperiall  powre 
A  prowd  rebellious  unicorne  defyes, 

1  Bale,  bit.  6  Fai-'d,  proceeded. 

'^  Nalliemore,  none  the  more  ''  Foyml,  pushed  as  in  fencing. 

"  Molt,  melted.  8  Tlirowes,  strokes. 

*  Ilurtle,  skirmish.  9  faked,  make  feigned 

6  Gyre,  circle. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    V.  351 

F  avoide  the  rash  assault  and  wrathful!  stowre 
Of  his  fiers  foe,  him  to  a  tree  applyes, 
And  when  him  ronning  in  full  course  he  spyea, 
He  slips  aside ;  the  whiles  that  furious  beast 
His  precious  home,  sought  of  his  enimyes, 
Strikes  in  the  stocke,  ne  thence  can  be  releast, 
But  to  the  mighty  victor  yields  a  bounteous  feast. 

11  With  such  faire  sleight  him  Guyon  often  fayld,^ 
Till  at  the  last  all  breathlesse,  weary,  faint, 
Him  spying,  with  fresh  onsett  he  assayld, 
And,  kindling  new  his  corage  seeming  queint,* 
Strooke  him  so  hugely,  that  through  great  con- 
straint 

He  made  him  stoup  perforce  unto  his  knee, 
And  doe  unwilling  worship  to  the  Saint, 
That  on  his  shield  depainted  he  did  see  ; 
Such  homage  till  that  instant  never  learned  hee. 

12  Whom  Guyon  seeing  stoup,  poursewed  fast 
The  present  offer  of  faire  victory. 

And  soone  his  dreadfull  blade  about  he  cast, 
Wherewith  he  smote  his  haughty  crest  so  hye, 
That  streight  on  grownd  made  him  full  low  to  lye  ; 
Then  on  his  brest  his  victor  foote  he  thrust : 
With  that  he  cryde  :  "  Mercy,  doe  me  not  dye, 

1  Stowre,  assault.  *  Queint,  quenched. 

2  Fayhl,  foiled. 


XI.  7.  —  The  Saint]     The  image  of  Gloriana.  which  Sir  GuyoE 
T»ad  upoii  his  shield.     See  Cauto  I.  28,  VIII.  43.    II. 


352  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

>Je  deeme  *  thy  force  by  fortunes  doome  uniiist, 
That  hath  (maugre  ^  her  spight)  thus  low  me  laid  in 
dust." 

13  Eftsoones  his  cruel  hand  Sir  Guyon  stayd, 
Tempring  the  passion  with  advizement^  slow, 
And  maistring  might  *  on  enimy  dismayd  ; 
For  th'  equall  die  of  warre  he  well  did  know  : 
Then  to  him  said :  "  Live,  and  alleageaunce  owe 
To  him,  that  gives  thee  life  and  liberty  ; 

And  henceforth  by  this  daies  ensample  ti'ow, 
That  hasty  wroth,  and  heedlesse  hazardry,^ 
Doe  breede  repentaunce  late,  and  lasting  infamy." 

14  So  up  he  let  him  rise  ;  who,  with  grim  looke 
And  count'naunce  sterne  upstanding,  gan  to  grind 
His  grated  teeth  for  great  disdeigne,  and  shooke 
His  sandy  lockes,  long  hanging  downe  beliind, 
Knotted  in  blood  and  dust,  for  griefe  of  mind 
That  he  in  ods  of  armes  was  conquered  ; 

Yet  in  himselfe  some  comfort  he  did  find, 
That  him  so  noble  knight  had  maystered  ; 
Whose  bounty®  more  then  might,  yet  both,  he  won- 
dered. 

15  Which  Guyon  marking  said  :  "  Be  nought  agrlev'd. 
Sir  Knight,  that  thus  ye  now  subdewed  arre  : 

1  Deeme,  judge,  estimate. 

2  Mitu(/re,  ill  thanks  to,  curse  on. 
8  Advizement,  coiisiiler.ation. 

*  Mdistrin;/  mlijht,  i.  e.  refraining  from  exercising  his  power. 
6  Jlaz'irdnj,  rashness.  6  Jjaunty,  generosity. 


P.OOK    11.      CANTO    V.  358 

Was  never  man,  who  most  conquestes  atchiev'd, 
But  sometimes  had  the  worse,  and  lost  by  warre ; 
Yet  shortly  gaynd,  that^  losse  exceeded  farre  : 
Losse  is  no  shame,  nor  to  bee  lesse  then  foe ; 
But  to  bee  lesser  then  himselfe  doth  marre 
Both  loosers  lott,  and  victours  prayse  alsoe  ; 
Vaine  others  overthrowes  ^  who  selfe  doth  overthrow. 

16  "  Fly,  0  Pyrochles,  fly  the  dreadfuU  warre 
That  in  thyselfe  thy  lesser  ^  partes  doe  move  : 
Outrageous  Anger,  and  woe-working  larre, 
Direful!  Impatience,  and  hart-murdring  Love  : 
Those,  those  thy  foes,  those  warriours,  far  i-emove. 
Which  thee  to  endlesse  bale  ■*  captived  lead. 

But,  sith  in  might  thou  didst  my  mercy  prove, 
Of  courtesie  to  mee  the  cause  aread  ^ 
That  thee  against  me  drew  with  so  impetuous  dread." 

17  "  Dreadlesse,^ "  said  he,  that  shall  I  soone  declare: 
It  was  complaind  that  thou  hadst  done  great  tort  ^ 
Unto  an  aged  woman,  poore  and  bare, 

And  thralled  her  in  chaines  with  strong  eflTort, 
Voide  of  all  succour  and  needfuU  comfort ; 
That  ill  beseemes  thee,  such  as  I  thee  see. 
To  worke  such  shame  :  Therefore  I  thee  exhort 
To  chaunge  thy  will,  and  set  Occasion  free, 
A.nd  to  her  captive  sonne  yield  his  first  libertee." 

1  That,  that  which. 

2  Overthrowes,  i.  e.  in  vain  he  overthrows  others,  &c. 

3  Lesser,  inferior. 

*  Bale,  sorrow.  6  Breadlesse,  without  fear. 

6  Aread,  declare.  "•  Tort,  wrong. 


354  THK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

18  Thereat  Sir  Guyon  smylde :  "  And  is  that  all," 
Said  he,  "  that  thee  so  sore  displeased  hath  ? 
Great  mercy  ^  sure,  for  to  enlarge  a  thrall, 
Whose  freedom  shall  thee  turneto  greatest  scath^l 
Nath'lesse  now  quench  thy  whott^  emhoyling  wrath 
Loe  !  there  they  bee  ;  to  thee  I  yield  them  free." 
Thereat  he,  wondrous  glad,  out  of  the  path 
Did  lightly  leape,  where  he  them  bound  did  see, 

And  gan  to  breake  the  bands  of  their  captivitee. 

If  Soone  as  Occasion  felt  herselfe  untyde. 
Before  her  sonne  could  well  assoyled  *  bee, 
She  to  her  use  ^  returnd,  and  streight  defyde 
Both  Guyon  and  Pyrochles  ;  th'  one  (said  shee) 
Bycause  he  wonne  ;  the  other,  because  hee 
AVas  wonne  :  So  matter  did  she  make  of  nought, 
To  stirre  up  strife,  and  garre  ®  them  disagree : 
But,  soone  as  Furor  was  enlargd,  she  sought 

To   kindle    his   quencht  fyre,  and  thousand   causes 
wrought. 

20  It  was  not  long  ere  she  inflam'd  him  so, 
That  he  would  algates''  with  Pyrochles  fight, 
And  his  redeemer  chalengd  for  his  foe, 
Because  he  had  not  well  mainteind  his  right, 
But  yielded  had  to  that  same  straunger  knight. 
Now  gan  Pyrochles  wex  as  wood  *  as  hee, 

1  Great  mercy,  gi-eat  thanks  it  deserves. 

2  Scnth,  injury.  8  Garre,  make. 

8  \VlwU,  hot.  T  Algaies,  by  all  meanfl. 

*  Assoyled,  released.  *  Wood,  mad. 

5  Ose,  usual  habits. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    T.  355 

And  him  affronted  ^  with  impatient  might : 
So  both  togetlier  fiers  engrasped  bee, 
Whyles  Guyon  standing  by  their  uncouth  strife  does 
see. 

21  Him  all  that  while  Occasion  did  provoke 
Against  Pyrochles,  and  new  matter  fram'd 
Upon  the  old,  him  stirring  to  bee  wroke  "^ 

Of  his  late  wronges,  in  which  she  oft  him  blara'd 
For  suffering  such  abuse  as  knighthood  sliam'd, 
And  him  dishabled  ^  quyte  :  But  he  was  wise, 
Ne  would  with  vaine  occasions  be  inflam'd ; 
Yet  others  she  more  urgent  did  devise  : 
Yet  nothing  could  him  to  impatience  entise. 

22  Their  fell  contention  still  increased  more, 
And  more  thereby  increased  Furors  might, 
That  he  his  foe  has  hurt  and  wounded  sore, 
And  him  in  blood  and  durt  deformed  quight. 
His  mother  eke,  more  to  augment  his  spight, 
Now  brought  to  him  a  flaming  fyer-brond. 
Which  she  in  Stygian  lake,  ay  burning  bright, 
Had  kindled  :  that  she  gave  into  his  bond, 

Thatarmd  with  fire  more  hardly*  he  mote  him  withstond. 

23  Tho  ^  gan  that  Villein  wex  so  filers  and  strong, 
That  nothinsr  miffht  sustaine  his  furious  forse  : 
He  cast  him  downe  to  ground,  and  all  along 
Drew  him  through  durt  and  myre  without  remorse, 

1  Affronted,  confronted.  *  Hardly,  hardily. 

2  Wroke,  avenged.  6  Tho,  then. 
^  Dkhabled,  disparaged. 


356  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  fowly  batlered  his  comely  corse, 
That  Guyon  much  disdeignd  ^  so  loathly  sight. 
At  last  he  was  compeld  to  cry  perforse, 
"  Help,  O  Sir  Guyon !  helpe,  most  noble  Knight, 
To  ridd  a  wretched  man  from  handes  of  hellish  wight ! ' ' 

-u  The  Knight  was  greatly  moved  at  his  playnt, 
And  gan  him  dight  ^  to  succour  his  distresse, 
Till  that  the  Palmer,  by  his  grave  restraynt, 
Him  stayd  from  yielding  pitifull  redresse, 
And  said :  "  Deare  sonne,  thy  causelesse  ruth  re- 

presse, 
Ne  let  thy  stout  hart  melt  in  pitty  vayne  : 
He  that  his  sorow  sought  through  wilfulnesse, 
And  his  foe  fettred  would  release  agayne. 

Deserves  to  taste  his  follies  fruit,  repented  payne." 

25  Guyon  obayd  :  so  him  away  he  drew 
From  needlesse  trouble  of  renewing  fight 
Already  fought,  his  voyage  to  poursew. 
But  rash  Pyrochles  varlett,  Atin  hight, 
When  late  he  saw  his  lord  in  heavie  plight, 
Under  Sir  Guyons  puissaunt  stroke  to  fall, 
Him  deeming  dead,  as  then  he  seemd  in  sight, 
Fledd  fast  away  to  tell  his  funerall  ^ 

Unto  his  brother,  whom  Cymochles  men  did  call. 

26  He  was  a  man  of  rare  redoubted  might, 
Famous  throughout  the  world  for  warlike  prayse, 


1  Disdeignd,  was  indignant  at.  8  Funerall^  death, 

'■i  Gan  him  di</ht,  was  making  ready. 


BOOK    II.       CAXTO   V.  357 

And  glorious  spoiles,  piirchast  in  perilous  fight: 
Full  many  doughtie  knightes  he  in  his  dayes 
Had  doen  to  death,  subdewde  in  equall  frayes  ; 
Whose  carkases,  for  terrour  of  his  name, 
Of  fowles  and  beastes  he  made  the  piteous  prayesy. 
And  hong   their   conquerd    armes   for   more    de- 
fame^ 
On  gallow  trees,  in  honour  of  his  dearest  dame. 

27  His  dearest  dame  is  that  Enchaunteresse, 
The  vyle  Acrasia,  that  with  vaine  delightes, 
And  ydle  pleasures  in  her  Bowre  of  Blisse, 
Does  charme  her  lovers,  and  the  feeble  sprightes 
Can  call  out  of  the  bodies  of  fraile  wightes ; 
Wliom    then    she    does   trasforme    to   mcHistrous 

hewes. 
And  horribly  misshapes  with  ugly  sightes, 
Captiv'd  eternally  in  yron  mewes  ^ 

And  darksom  dens,  where  Titan  his  face  never  shewes. 

•28  There  Atin  fownd  Cymochles  soiourning, 
To  serve  his  lemans  love :  for  he  by  kynd^ 
Was  given  all  to  lust  and  loose  living, 
Whenever  his  fiers  handes  he  free  mote  fynd : 
And  now  he  has  pourd  out  his  ydle  mynd 
In  daintie  delices  *  and  lavish  ioyes, 
Having  his  warlike  weapons  cast  behynd, 
And  flowes  in  pleasures  and  vaine  pleasing  toyes, 

Minded  emonsst  loose  ladies  and  lascivious  boyes. 

1  Defame,  disgrace.  ^  ^jr^,  nature. 

2  Metoes,  prisons.  *  Delices,  delights. 


358  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

29  And  over  him  Art,  stryving  to  compayre 
With  Nature,  did  an  arber  greene  dispred, 
Framed  of  wanton  y  vie,  flouring  fayre, 
Through  which  the  fragrant  eglantine  did  spred 
His  prickling  armes,  entrayld^  with  roses  red, 
Which  daintie  odours  round  about  them  threw  : 
And  all  within  with  flowres  was  garnished. 
That,  when  myld  Zephyrus  emongst  them  blew, 

Did  breath  out  bounteous  smels,  and  painted  colors 
shew. 

30  And  fast  beside  there  trickled  softly  downe 

A  gentle  streame,  whose  murmuring  wave  did  play 
Emongst  the  pumy^  stones,  and  made  a  sowne. 
To  lull  him  soft  asleepe  that  by  it  lay : 
The  wearie  traveller,  wandring  that  way, 
Therein  did  often  quench  his  thristy  '  heat, 
And  then  by  it  his  wearie  limbes  display,'* 
(Whiles  creeping  slomber  made  him  to  forget 
His  former  payne,)  and  wypt  away  his  toilsom  sweat. 

31  And  on  the  other  syde  a  pleasaunt  grove 
Was  shott  up  high,  full  of  the  stately  tree 
That  dedicated  is  t'  Olympick  love, 
And  to  his  sonne  Alcides,  whenas  hee 

1  EntrayUl,  entwined.  8  TItristy,  thirsty. 

2  Pu7tiy,  pumice.  *  Display,  stretch  out. 

XXIX.  This  description  of  the  Bower  of  Bliss  is  imitated  from 
Annida's  Garden.    Tasso,  Canto  XVI.    C. 

XXXI.  1.  —  And  on  the  other  syde,  &c.]  Tlie  tree  dedicated  to 
Jove  is  the  oalc;  that  to  Hercules  is  the  poplar.    II. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO   V.  359 

In  NemuH  ^  gayned  goodly  victoree : 
Therein  the  mery  birdes  of  every  sorte 
Chaunted  alovvd  their  cheai'efuU  harmonee, 
And  made  emongst  themselves  a  sweete  consort, 
That  quickned  the  dull  spright  with  musicall  comfort. 

82  There  he  him  found  all  carelesly  displaid, 
In  secrete  shadow  from  the  sunny  ray, 
On  a  sweet  bed  of  lillies  softly  laid, 
Amidst  a  flock  of  damzelles  fresh  and  gay, 
That  rownd  about  him  dissolute  did  play 
Their  wanton  follies  and  light  meriments ; 
Every  of  which  did  loosely  disaray 
Her  upper  partes  of  meet  habiliments, 

And  shewd  them  naked,  deekt  with  many  ornaments. 

33  And  every  of  them  strove  with  most  delights 
Him  to  aggrate,^  and  greatest  pleasures  shew : 
Some  framd  faire  lookes,  glancing  like  evening  lights ; 
Others  sweet  wordes,  dropping  like  honny  dew ; 
Some  bathed  kisses,  and  did  soft  embrew 
The  sugred  licour  through  his  melting  lips  : 
One  boastes  her  beautie,  and  does  yield  to  vew. 
Her  dainty  limbes  above  her  tender  hips ; 

Another  her  out  boastes,  and  all  for  tryall  strips. 

14  He,  like  an  adder  lurking  in  the  weedes. 

His  wandring  thought  in  deepe  desire  does  steepe, 
And  his  frayle  eye  with  spoyle  of  beauty  feedes : 
Sometimes  he  falsely  faines  himselfe  to  sleepe. 
Whiles  through  their  lids  his  wanton  eies  do  peepe, 

1  Nemus,  i.  e.  Nemea.  2  Aggr-aie,  please. 


360  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

To  steale  a  snatch  of  amorous  conceipt, 
"Whereby  close*  fire  into  his  hart  does  creepe : 
So'  he  them  deceives,  deceivd  in  his  deceipt, 
Made  dronke  with  drugs  of  deare  voluptuous  receipt, 

35  Attin,  arriving  there,  when  him  he  spyde 
Thus  in  still  waves  of  deepe  delight  to  wade, 
Fiercely  approching  to  him  lowdly  cryde, 
"  Cymochles  ;  oh  !  no,  but  Cymochles  shade, 
In  ^  which  that  manly  person  late  did  fade  ! 
What  is  become  of  great  Aerates  sonne  ? 
Or  where  hath  he  hong  up  his  mortall  blade, 
That  hath  so  many  haughty  conquests  wonne  ? 

Is  all  his  force  forlorne,^  and  all  his  glory  donne  ?  " 

3fi  Then,  pricking  him  with  his  sharp-pointed  dart, 
He  said  :  "  Up,  up,  thou  womanish  weake  Knight, 
That  here  in  ladies  lap  entombed  art, 
Unmindfull  of  thy  praise  and  prowest  might, 
And  weetlesse  *  eke  of  lately-wrought  despight ; 
Whiles  sad  Pyrochles  lies  on  sencelesse  ground. 
And  groneth  out  his  utmost  grudging  spright^ 
Through  many  a  stroke   and  many  a  streaming 
wound, 

Calling  thy  help  in   vaine,    that    here    in  ioyes  art 
dround." 

3'i  Suddeinly  out  of  his  delightfull  dreame 

The  man  awoke,  aiid  would  have  questiond  more ; 

1  Close,  secret.  *  Forlorne,  lost. 

2  In,  into.  *  Weetlesse,  ignorant. 
o  Utmost  griuljing  sjrriyht,  his  last  reluctant  breath. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    V.  361 

But  he  would  not  endure  that  wofull  theam(; 
For  to  dilate  at  large,  but  urged  sore, 
With  percing  wordes  and  pittifuU  implore,^ 
Him  hasty  to  arise.     As  one  affright 
With  hellish  feends,  or  Furies  mad  uprore, 
He  then  uprose,  inflamd  with  fell  despight, 
And  called  for  his  arines  ;  for  he  would  algates  ^  fight. 

88  They  bene  ybrought,  he  quickly  does  him  dight,* 
And  lightly  mounted  passeth  on  his  way ; 
Ne  ladies  loves,  ne  sweete  entreaties,  might 
Appease  his  heat,  or  hastie  passage  stay ; 
For  he  has  vowd  to  beene  avengd  that  day 
(That  day  itselfe  him  seemed  all  too  long) 
On  him  that  did  Pyrochles  deare  dismay  * ; 
So  proudly  pricketh  on  his  courser  strong. 

And  Attin  ay  him  pricks  with  spurs  of  shame  and 


1  Implore,  entreaty.  8  Bir/hl,  prepare  himself. 

2  Alf)aies,  by  all  means.         *  Dismay,  deprive  of  might,  subdue 


962  THE   FAERIE    QUEENK. 


CANTO    VI. 


Goyon  is  of  immodest  Merth 
Led  into  loose  desyre ; 

Fights  witli  Cymocliles,  whiles  his  bro- 
ther burnes  in  furious  fyre. 


1  A  HARDER  lesson  to  learne  continence 

In  ioyous  pleasure  then  in  grievous  paine : 
For  sweetnesse  doth  allure  the  weaker  sence 
So  strongly,  that  uneathes^  it  can  refraine 
From  that  which  feeble  nature  covets  faine : 
But  griefe  and  wrath,  that  be  her  enemies, 
And  foes  of  life,  she  better  can  abstaine  - : 
Yet  Vertue  vauntes  in  both  her  victories  ; 
And  Guyon  in  them  all  shewes  goodly  maysteries.^ 

2  Whom  bold  Cymochles  travelling  to  finde, 
"With  cruell  purpose  bent  to  wreake  on  him 
The  wrath  which  Atin  kindled  in  his  mind, 
Came  to  a  river,  by  whose  utmost  brim 

1  Uneathes,  hardly.    *  2d  ed.,  reslraine.    ^  Maysleries,  superiority. 


n.  4.  —  Came  to  a  river,  &c.]  The  Bower  of  Bliss  is  described 
as  situated  upon  an  island  floating  in  a  lake  or  gulf.  Cymochles 
is  induced  by  Atin   to  leave  this  place  in  onler  to   avenge  his 


UOOK    II.       CANTO    VI.  363 

Wayting  to  passe  he  saw  whereas  did  swim 
Along  the  shore,  as  swift  as  glaunce  of  eye, 
A  Htle  gondelay,^  bedecked  tnm 
With  boughes  and  arbours  woven  cunningly, 
That  Uke  a  litle  forrest  seemed  outwardly. 

3  And  therein  sate  a  lady  fresh  and  fayre, 
Makinor  sweete  solace  to  herselfe  alone : 
Sometimes  she  song  as  lowd  as  lark  in  ayre, 
Sometimes  she  laught,  that  nigh  her  breath  was 

gone  ;2 
Yet  was  there  not  with  her  else  any  one, 
That  to  her  might  move  cause  of  meriment : 
Matter  of  merth  enough,  though  there  were  none, 
She  could  devise  ;  and  thousand  waies  invent 
To  feede  her  foolish  humour  and  vaine  iolliment. 

4  Which  when  ftir  of  Cymochles  heard  and  saw, 
He  lowdly  cald  to  such  as  were  abord 

The  little  barke  unto  the  shore  to  draw, 

And  him  to  ferry  over  that  deepe  ford. 

The  merry  Mariner  unto  his  word 

Soone   hearkned,  and  her  painted   bote  streight- 

way 
Turnd  to  the  shore,  where  that  same  warlike  lord 

1  Gondelay,  gondola,  boat.      ^  1st  ed.,  as  merry  us  Pope  lone. 


brother's  death.  He  comes  to  a  river,  that  is,  to  the  shore  of  the 
island,  and  finds  there  Phsedria,  (who  represents  immodest  mirth,) 
who  carries  him  in  her  boat  to  another  island  in  this  gulf  or  lake, 
similar  in  its  temptations  and  dangers  to  that  on  which  the  Bower 
if  Bliss  is  situated     H. 


3G4  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

She  in  receiv'd  ;  but  Atin  by  no  way 
She  would  admit,  albe  ^  the  knight  her  much  did  pray. 

6  Eftsoones^  her  shallow  ship  away  did  slide, 
More  swift  then  swallow  sheres^  the  liquid  skye, 
Withouten  oare  or  pilot  it  to  guide, 
Or  winged  canvas  with  the  wind  to  fly : 
Onely  she  turnd  a  pin,  and  by  and  by* 
It  cut  away  u})on  the  yielding  wave  ; 
Ne  cai-ed  she  her  course  for  to  apply,^ 
For  it  was  taught  the  way  which  she  would  have, 

And  both  from  rocks  and  flats  itselfe  could  wisely  save. 

6  And  all  the  way  the  wanton  damsell  found 
New  merth  her  passenger  to  entertaine  ; 
For  she  in  pleasaunt  purpose®  did  abound, 
And  greatly  ioyed  merry  tales  to  faine. 
Of  which  a  store-house  did  with  her  remaine ; 
Yet  seemed,  nothing  well  they  her  became  : 
For  all  her  wordes  she  drovvnd  with  laughter  vaine, 
And  wanted  grace  in  utt'ring  of  the  same. 

That  turned  all  her  pleasaunce  to  a  scoffing  game. 


1  A^e,  although.  ■*  By  andby,  instantly. 

2  Eftsoones,  immediately.  ^  Apply,  give  attention  to. 
8  Sheres,  cuts.  *  Purpose,  conversation. 


V.  8.  —  For  it  was  tfivfjht,  &c.]  The  self-guiding  bark  of  Phoe 
dria  was  suggested  by  the  ships  of  Alcinous,  in  Homor,  which 
steered  themselves  to  their  destined  port.  The  giving  it  motion 
by  turning  a  pin  was  probably  borrowed  from  the  Squire's  Tale  in 
Chaucer,  where  the  lung  of  Araby  sends  to  Cambuscan  a  horse  ot 
brass,  which  moves  by  turning  a  pin.  There  is  a  wooden  horse 
with  the  same  wondrous  power  in  the  Arabian  Nights.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VI,  365 

7  And  other  whiles  vaine  toyes  she  would  devize, 
As  her  fantasticke  wit  did  most  dehght : 
Sometimes  her  head  she  fondly  would  aguize^ 
With  gaudy  girlonds,  or  fresh  flowrets  dight 
About  her  necke,  or  rings  of  rushes  plight^: 
Sometimes,  to  do  him  laugh,  she  would  assay 
To  lauirh  at  shaking  of  the  leaves  light. 

Or  to  behold  the  water  worke  and  play 
About  her  little  frigot,  therein  making  way. 

8  Her  light  behaviour  and  loose  dalliaunce 

Gave  wondrous  great  contentment  to  the  Knight, 
That  of  his  way  he  had  no  sovenaunce,^ 
Nor  care  of  vow'd  revenge  and  cruell  fight ; 
But  to  weake  wench  did  yield  his  martiall  might. 
So  easie  was  to  quench  his  flamed  rainde 
With  one  sweete  drop  of  sensuall  delight ! 
So  easie  is  t'  appease  the  stormy  winde 
Of  malice  in  the  caline  of  pleasaunt  womankind  ! 

9  Diverse  discourses  in  their  way  they  spent ; 
Mongst  which  Cymochles  of  her  questioned 
Both  what  she  was,  and  what  that  usage  ment. 
Which  in  her  cott*  she  daily  practized  : 

"  Vaine  man,"  saide  she,  "  that  wouldest  be  reckoned 
A  straunger  in  thy  home,  and  ignoraunt 
Of  Phiedria,  (ibr  so  my  name  is  red,*) 
Of  Pha^dria,  thine  owne  fellow  servaunt ; 
For  thou  to  serve  Acrasia  thyselfe  doest  vaunt. 

1  Afjuize,  deck.  4  Colt,  little  boat  ( ?  ). 

2  Plujhl.  pkit.  fi  Red,  called. 
8  Sovenaimce,  remembrance. 

VOL.  I.  29 


366  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

10  "  In  this  wide  inland  sea,  that  higlit  by  name 
The  Idle  Lake,  ray  wandring  ship  I  row, 

That   knowes    her    poit,    and    thether   sayles    by 

ayme, 
Ne  care  ne  feare  I  how  the  wind  do  blow, 
Or  whether  swift  I  wend  or  whether  slow : 
Both  slow  and  swift  alike  do  serve  my  tourne  : 
Ne  swelling  Neptune  ne  lowd-thundring  love 
Can  chaunge  my  cheare,  or  make  me  ever  mourne  : 
My  little  boat  can  safely  passe  this  perilous  bourne.^" 

11  "Whiles  thus  she  talked,  and  whiles  thus  she  toyd, 
They  were  far  past  the  passage  which  he  spake, 
And  come  unto  an  island  waste  and  voyd,^ 
That  floted  in  the  midst  of  that  great  lake ; 
There  her  small  gondelay  her  port  did  make, 
And  that  gay  payre  issewing  on  the  shore 
Disburdned  her.     Their  way  they  forward  take 
Into  the  land  that  lay  them  faire  before, 

Wliose  pleasaunce  she  him  sliewd,  and  plentifull  great 
store. 

12  It  was  a  chosen  plott  of  fertile  land, 
Emongst  wide  waves  sett,  like  a-  litle  nest. 
As  if  it  had  by  Natures  cunning  liand 
Bene  choycely  picked  out  from  all  tlie  rest. 
And  laid  forth  for  ensample  of  the  best : 

No  dainty  flowre  or  herbe  that  growes  on  grownd, 
No  arborett*  with  painted  blossomes  drest 


1  Bourne,  boundary.  8  Arborett,  shrub. 

2  Waste  and  vvyd,  i.  e.  uninhabited. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    VI.  367 

And  smelling  swcete,  but  there  it  might  be  fownd 
To  bud  out  faire,  and  throwe  her  sweete  smels  al 
arovvnd. 

13  No  tree,  whose  braunches  did  not  bravely  ^  spring ; 
No  braunch,  whereon  a  fine  bird  did  not  sitt ; 

No  bird,  but  did  her  shrill  notes  sweetely  sing  ; 

No  song,  but  did  containe  a  lovely  ditt.^ 

Trees,  braunches,  birds,  and  songs,  were  framed 

fitt 
For  to  allure  fraile  mind  to  carelesse  ease. 
Carelesse  the  man  scone  woxe,  and  his  weake  witt 
Was  overcome  of  thing  that  did  him  please  : 
So  pleased  did  his  wrathfuU  purpose  fah-e  appease. 

14  Thus  when  shee  had  his  eyes  and  sences  fed 
With  false  delights,  and  fild  with  pleasures  vayn, 
Into  a  shady  dale  she  soft  him  led. 

And  laid  him  downe  upon  a  grassy  playn ; 
And  her  sweete  selfe  without  dread  or  disdayn 
She  sett  beside,  laying  his  head  disarmd 
In  her  loose  lap,  it  softly  to  sustayn. 
Where  soone  he  slumbred  fearing  not  be  harrad  : 
The  whiles  with  a  love  lay  she  thus  him   sweetly 
charmd : 

1  Bravely,  beautifully.  2  J)lu,  ditty. 


XIII.  9.  —  Did  his  wrathfuU  purpose  faire  appease.]  In  Cymo- 
chles  we  are  shown  the  fickleness  of  purpose  which  habits  of  self- 
indulgence  beget.  "  One  sweet  drop  of  sensual  delight "  makes 
him  forget  the  purpose  of  revenge  he  had  so  lately  formed.  The 
nearest  temptation  is  the  strongest.    H. 


368  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

15  "  Behold,  0  man,  that  toilesome  paines  doest  take, 
The  flowrs,  the  fields,  and  all  that  pleasaunt  growes, 
How  they  themselves  doe  thine  ensample  make, 
Whiles  nothing-envious  nature  them  forth  thi'owes 
Out  of  her  fruitful!  lap  ;  how,  no  man  knowes. 
They  spring,  they  bud,  they  blossome  fresh  andfaire, 
And  decke    the   world  with    their   rich  pompous 

showes ; 
Yet  no  man  for  them  taketh  paines  or  care, 
Yet  no  man  to  them  can  his  carefull  paines  compare. 

16  "  The  lilly,  lady  of  the  flowring  field, 
The  flowre-de-luce,  her  lovely  paramoure, 
Bid  thee  to  them  thy  fruitlesse  labors  yield, 
And  soone  leave  off  this  toylsome  weary  stoure^ : 
Loe  !  loe,  how  brave  she  decks  her  bounteous  boure, 
With  silkin  curtens  and  gold  coverletts. 
Therein  to  shrowd  her  sumptuous  belaraoure^! 
Y'^et  nether  spinnes  nor  cards,  ne  cares  nor  fretts, 

But  to  her  mother  Nature  all  her  care  she  letts. 

17  "  Why  then  doest  thou,  O  man,  that  of  them  all 
Art  lord,  and  eke  of  nature  soveraine, 
Wilfully  make  thyselfe  a  wretched  thrall, 

And  waste  thy  ioyous  howres  in  needelesse  paine. 
Seeking  for  daunger  and  adventures  vaine  ? 
What  bootes  it  al  to  have  and  nothin";  use  ? 


o 


1  Sioure,  contention.  2  Belamoure,  lover. 

XV.  1.  —  Belidld,  0  7111111,  &c.]  This  song  is  iniitateil  from  one 
sung  to  Hiniilili),  upon  nn  enchanted  ishinil,  in  tlie  fourteenth  Canto 
of  the  Jerusalem  Delivered. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VI.  369 

"Who  shall  him  rew^  that  swimming  in  the  maine 
Will  die  for  thrist,  and  water  doth  refuse  ? 
Refuse  such  fruitlesse  toile,  and  present  pleasui'es 
chuse." 

18  By  this  she  had  him  lulled  fast  asleepe, 
That  of  no  worldly  thing  he  care  did  take  : 
Then  she  with  liquors  strong  his  eies  did  steepe, 
That  nothing  should  him  hastily  awake. 

So  she  him  lefte,  and  did  herselfe  betake 
Unto  her  boat  again,  with  which  she  clefte 
The  slouthfull  wave  of  that  great  griesy  "•^  lake  : 
Soone  shee  that  Island  far  behind  her  lefte, 
And  now  is  come  to  that  same  place  where  first  she 
wefte.* 

19  By  this  time  was  the  worthy  Guyon  brought 
Unto  the  other  side  of  that  wide  strond 
Where  she  was  rowing,  and  for  passage  sought . 
Him  needed  not  long  call ;  shee  soone  to  bond 
Her  ferry  brought,  where  him  she  byding  *  fond 
With  his  sad^  guide  :  himselfe  she  tooke  aboord, 
But  the  blacke  Palmer  sufFred  still  to  stond, 

Ne  would  for  price  or  prayers  once  affoord® 
To  ferry  that  old  man  over  the  perlous '  foord. 

1  Reto,  pity.  s  gad,  grave. 

2  Griesy,  i.  e.  sluggish,  or  thick.  6  Aff'oord,  accord,  grant. 
8  Wefte,  departed.  "^  Perlous,  dangerous. 

*  Byding,  waiting. 


XIX.  8.  —  Ne  tvould,  Sec]  ^\lien  Temperance  or  Self-govern- 
ment embarks  on  the  waters  of  Idleness,  under  the  guidance  of 
immodest  Jlirth,  Reason  is  left  behind.   H. 


370  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

20  Guyon  was  loath  to  leave  his  guide  behind, 
Yet  being  entred  might  not  backe  retyre ; 
For  the  flitt^  barke,  obaying  to  her  mind. 
Forth  launched  quickly  as  she  did  desire, 
Ne  gave  him  leave  to  bid  that  aged  sire 
Adieu,  but  nimbly  ran  her  wonted  course 
Through  the  dull  billowes  thicke  as  troubled  mire 
Whom  nether  wind  out  of  their  seat  could  forse, 

Nor    timely    tides    did    drive  out  of  their  sluggish 
sourse. 

21  And  by  the  way,  as  was  her  wonted  guize, 
Her  mery  fitt  she  freshly  gan  to  reare,'^ 
And  did  of  ioy  and  ioUity  devize, 
Herselfe  to  cherish,  and  her  guest  to  cheare. 
The  Knight  was  courteous,  and  did  not  forbeare 
Her  honest  merth  and  pleasaunce  to  partake ; 
But  when  he  saw  her  toy,  and  gibe,  and  geare,^ 
And  passe  the  bonds  of  modest  merimake. 

Her  dalliaunce  he  despisd  and  follies  did  forsake. 

82  Yet  she  still  followed  her  former  style, 
And  said,  and  did,  all  that  mote  him  delight, 
Till  they  arrived  in  that  pleasaunt  ile, 
Where  sleeping  late  she  lefte  her  other  knight. 
But  whenas  Guyon  of  that  land  had  sight, 
He  wist  himselfe  amisse,'*  and  angry  said : 
"  Ah  !  Dame,  perdy  ye  have  not  doen  me  right, 

1  Flitl,  fleet. 

2  Reare,  take  up. 
8  (?ea»'e,  jeer. 

*  Wisl  himselfe  amisse,  knew  that  he  was  out  of  his  proper  course. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VI.  371 

Thus  to  mislead  mee,  whiles  I  you  obaid : 
Me  litle  needed  from  my  right  way  to  have  straid." 

S3  "  Faire  Sir,"  quoth  she,  "  be  not  displeasd  at  all ; 
Who  fares  on  sea  may  not  comraaund  his  way, 
Ne  wind  and  weather  at  his  pleasure  call : 
The  sea  is  wide,  and  easy  for  to  stray  ; 
The  wind  unstable,  and  doth  never  stay. 
But  here  a  while  ye  may  in  safety  rest. 
Till  season  serve  new  passage  to  assay  : 
Better  safe  port  then  be  in  seas  distrest." 

Therewith  she  laught,  and  did  her  earnest  end  in  iest. 

24  But  he,  halfe  discontent,  mote  nathelesse 
Himselfe  appease,  and  issewd  forth  on  shore  ; 
The  ioyes  whereof  and  happy  fruitfulnesse. 
Such  as  lie  saw,  she  gan  him  lay  before. 

And  all,  thougli  pleasaunt,  yet  she  made  much  more. 
The  fields  did  laugh,  the  flowres  did  freshly  spring. 
The  trees  did  bud,  and  early  blossomes  bore  ; 
And  all  the  quii'e  of  birds  did  sweetly  sing. 
And  told  that  gardins  pleasures  in  their  caroling. 

25  And  she,  more  sweete  then  any  bird  on  bough, 
Would  oftentimes  emongst  them  beare  a  part, 
And  strive  to  passe  (as  she  could  well  enough) 
Their  native  musicke  by  her  skilful  art : 

So  did  she  all,  that  might  his  constant  hart 
Withdraw  from  thought  of  warlike  enterprize, 
And  drowne  in  dissolute  delights  apart. 
Where  noise  of  armes,  or  vew  of  martiall  guize, 
Might  not  revive  desu-e  of  knightly  exercize  : 


372  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

26  But  he  was  wise,  and  wary  of  her  will, 
And  ever  held  his  hand  upon  his  hart ; 
Yet  would  not  seeme  so  rude,  and  thewed^  ill, 
As  to  despise  so  curteous  seeming  part 
That  gentle  lady  did  to  him  impart : 
But,  fairly  tempring,^  fond  desire  subdewd, 
And  ever  her  desired  to  depart. 
She  list  not  heare,  but  her  disports  poursewd, 

And  ever  bad  him  stay  till  time  the  tide  renewd. 

87  And  now  by  this  Cymochles  howre  was  spent, 
That  he  awoke  out  of  his  ydle  dreme ; 

And,  shaking  off  his  drowsy  dreriment,' 
Gan  him  avize,*  howe  ill  did  him  beseme 
In  slouthfuU  sleepe  his  molten  hart  to  steme,^ 
And  quench  the  brond  of  his  conceived  yre. 
Tho^  up  he  started,  stird  with  shame  extreme, 
Ne  staied  for  his  damsell  to  inquire, 
But  marched  to  the  strond,  there  passage  to  require. 

88  And  in  the  way  he  with  Sir  Guyon  mett, 
Accompanyde  with  Phjedria  the  faire : 
Eftsoones  he  gan  to  rage,  and  inly  frett, 
Crying :  "  Let  be  that  lady  debonaire,'' 

Thou  recreaunt  knight,  and  soone  thyselfe  prepaire 
To  batteile,  if  thou  meane  her  love  to  gayn. 
Loe !  loe  already  how  the  fowles  in  aire 

1  Thetced,  bred,  or  mannered. 

2  Tempring,  moderating. 

8  Dreriment,  by  license,  for  heaviness. 

<  Anze,  bethink.  6  Tho,  then. 

6  Sleme,  steep.  "^  Debonaire,  gi-acious,  gentle. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO    VI.  373 

Doe  flocke,  awaiting  shortly  to  obtayn 
Thy  carcas  for  their  pray,  the  guerdon  of  thy  payn.*" 

29  And  therewithal!  he  fiersly  at  him  flew, 
And  with  importune^  outrage  him  assayld ; 
Who,  soone  prepard  to  field,  his  sword  forth  drew, 
And  him  with  equall  valew  '  countervayld  *  ; 
Their  mightie  strokes  their  haberieons  ^  dismayld,® 
And  naked  made  each  others  manly  spalles ' ; 
The  mortall  Steele  despiteously  entayld  * 

Deepe  in  their  flesh,  quite  through  the  yron  wallea, 
That  a  large  purple  streame  adown  their  giambeux^ 
falles. 

30  Cymocles,  that  had  never  mett  before 
So  puissant  foe,  with  envious  despight 
His  prowd  presumed  force  increased  more, 
Disdeigning  to  bee  held  so  long  in  fight. 

Sir  Guyon,  grudging  ^°  not  so  much  his  might 
As  those  unknightly  raylinges  which  he  spoke, 
With  wrathfull  fire  his  corage  kindled  bright, 
Thereof  devising  shortly  to  be  wroke,^^ 
And,  doubhng  all  his  powres,  redoubled  every  stroke. 

31  Both  of  them  high  attonce  their  hands  enhaunst," 
And  both  attonce  their  huge  blowes  down  did  sway : 

1  Payn,  pains.  8  Entayld,  cut. 

2  Importune,  unrelenting.  9  Giambeux,  boots. 

3  Valew,  valor.  lo  Grudyiny,  indignant  at. 

4  Oountei-vayld,  opposed.  "  Wroke,  avenged. 
6  Ilnbei-ieom,  coats  of  mail.  12  Enkaunst,  raised. 
6  DismayUl,  cut  away  the  mails  or  meshes. 

^  Spalles,  shoulders. 


374  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Cymochles  sword  on  Guyons  shield  yglaunst,^ 
And  thereof  nigh  one  quarter  sheard  away  : 
But  Guyons  angry  blade  so  fiers  did  play 
On  th'  others  helraett,  which  as  Titan  shone, 
That  quite  it  clove  his  plumed  crest  in  tway, 
And  bared  all  his  head  unto  the  bone ; 
Wherewith  astonisht  still  he  stood  as  sencelesse  stone. 

3-2  Still  as  he  stood,  fayre  Phjfidria,  that  beheld 
That  deadly  daunger,  soone  atweene  them  ran ; 
And  al  their  feet  herselfe  most  humbly  feld,^ 
Crying  with  pitteous  voyce,  and  count'nance  wan, 
"  Ah,  well  away  !   most  noble  Lords,  how  can 
Your  cruell  eyes  endux'e  so  pitteous  sight, 
To  shed  your  lives  on  ground  ?  Wo  worth  the  man, 
That  first  did  teach  the  cursed  Steele  to  bight 

In  his  owne^   flesh,  and  make    way    to   the   living 
spright ! 

33  "  If  ever  love  of  lady  did  empierce 

Your  yi'on  brestes,  or  pittie  could  find  place, 
Withliold  your  bloody  handes  from  battaill  fierce , 
And,  sitli''  for  me  ye  fight,  to  me  this  grace 
Both  yield,  to  stay  your  deadly  stryfe  a  space." 
They  stayd  a  while  ;  and  forth  slie  gan  proceed: 
"  Most  wretched  woman  and  of  wicked  race, 
That  am  the  authour  of  this  hainous  deed, 

A.nd  cause  of  death  betweene  two  doughtie  knights 
do  breed ! 


1  Yghunst,  glanced.  3  Owne,  i.  e.  Imman. 

2  Ftld,  threw.  ■*  ISitli,  since. 


BOOK    11.      CANTO    VI.  375 

34  "  But,  if  for  me  ye  fight,  or  me  will  serve, 
Not  this  rude  kynd  of  battaill,  nor  these  armes 
Are  meet,  the  which  doe  men  in  bale  to  sterve.^ 
And  doolefuU  sorrow  heape  with  deadly  harmes : 
Such  cruell  game  my  scarmoges-  disarmes. 
Another  warre,  and  other  weapons,  I 
Doe  love,  where  Love  does  give  his  sweet  alarmes 
Without  bloodshed,  and  where  the  enimy 

Does  yield  unto  his  foe  a  pleasaunt  victory. 

36  "  Debatefull  strife,  and  cruell  enmity. 

The  famous  name  of  knighthood  fowly  shend^; 

But  lovely  peace,  and  gentle  amity. 

And  in  amours  the  passing  howres  to  spend, 

The  mightie  martiall  handes  doe  most  commend; 

Of  love  they  ever  greater  glory  bore 

Then  of  their  armes :  Mars  is  Cupidoes  frend, 

And  is  for  Venus  loves  renowmed  more 

Then  all  his  wax's  andspoiles,  the  which  he  did  of  yore." 

36  Therewith  she  sweetly  smyld.     They,  though  full 

bent 
To  prove  *  extremities  of  bloody  fight, 
Yet  at  her  speach  their  rages  gan  relent. 
And  calme  the  sea  of  their  tempestuous  spight : 
Such  powre  have  pleasing  wordes !    Such  is  the 

might 
Of  courteous  clemency  in  gentle  hart ! 
Now  after  all  was  ceast,  the  Faery  Knight 


1 1,  e.  cause  men  to  die  in  misery.  *  Shend,  disgrace. 

8  Scarim(jes,  skirmishes.  *  Prove,  try. 


376  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Besought  that  damzell  suffer  him  depart, 
And  yield  him  ready  passage  to  that  other  part. 

B7  She  no  lesse  glad  then^  he  desirous  was 
Of  his  departure  thence  ;  for  of  her  ioy 
And  vaine  delight  she  saw  he  light  did  pas,* 
A  foe  of  folly  and  immodest  toy, 
Still  solemne  sad,  or  still  disdainfuU  coy  ; 
Delighting  all  in  armes  and  cruell  warre, 
That  her  sweet  peace  and  pleasures  did  annoy, 
Troubled  with  terrour  and  unquiet  iarre, 

That  she  well  pleased  was  thence  to  amove  him  farre. 

38  Tho  *  him  she  brought  abord,  and  her  swift  bote 
Forthwith  directed  to  that  further  strand ; 

The  which  on  the  dull  waves  did  lightly  flote. 
And  soone  arrived  on  the  shallow  sand, 
Where  gladsome  Guy  on  sailed  forth  to  land. 
And  to  that  damsell  thankes  gave  for  reward. 
Upon  that  shore  he  spyed  Atin  stand. 
There  by  his  maister  left,  when  late  he  far'd 
In  Phagdrias  flitt  barck  over  that  perlous  *  shard.* 

39  "Well  could  he  ^  him  remember,  sith  of  late 
He  with  Pyrochles  sharp  debatement  made  : 
Streight  gan  he  him  revyle,  and  bitter  rate, 

As  shepheardes  curre,  that  in  dark  eveninges  shade 
Hath  tracted  forth  ^  some  salvage  beastes  trade  * : 

1  Then,  than.  6  Shai-d,  division,  boundary  (see  v.  X.  1.  9)- 

2  Pas,  care  for.  6  Jle,  i.  e.  Atin. 

8  Tho,  then.  ">  Tnuiedforlh,  traced  out. 

»  PtrUms,  perilous.    »  Trade,  tread,  footsteps. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO    VI.  377 

"  Vile  miscreaunt,"  said  he,  "  whether  dost  th^u  flye 
The  shame  and  death,  which  will  thee  soone  invade  ? 
What  coward  hand  shall  doe  thee  next  to  dye, 
That  art  thus  fowly  fledd  from  famous  eniray  ?  " 

40  With  that  he  stifly  shooke  his  steelhead  dart : 
But  sober  Guyon  hearing  him  so  rayle, 
Though  somewhat  moved  in  his  mightie  hart, 
Yet  with  strong  reason  maistred  passion  fraile, 
And  passed  fayrely  *  forth.     He,  turning  taile, 
Backe  to  the  strond  retyrd,  and  there  still  stayd, 
Awaiting  passage,  which  him  late  did  fiiile. 
The  whiles  Cymochles  with  that  wanton  mayd 

The  hasty  heat  of  his  avowd  revenge  delayd.^ 

41  Whylest  there  the  Varlet  stood,  he  saw  from  farre 
An  armed  knight  that  towardes  him  fast  I'an ; 
He  ran  on  foot,  as  if  in  lucklesse  warre 

His  forlorne  steed  from  him  the  victour  wan : 
He  seemed  breathlesse,  hartlesse,  faint,  and  wan ; 
And  all  his  armour  sprinckled  was  with  blood. 
And  soy  Id  with  durtie  gore,  that  no  man  can 
Discerne  the  hew  thereof:  he  never  stood. 
But  bent  his  hastie  course  towardes  the  Ydle  Flood. 

4-2  The  Varlett  saw,  when  to  the  flood  he  came, 
How  without  stop  or  stay  he  fiersly  lept, 
And  deepe  himselfe  beducked  in  the  same, 

*■  Fayrely,  quietly.  2  Delayd,  allayed. 

XL.  7.  —  Which  him  late  didfaile.']     See  ante.  Stanza  4.    II. 


378  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  in  the  lake  his  loftie  crest  was  stept,*^ 
Ne  of  his  safetie  seemed  care  he  kept ; 
But  with  his  raging  armes  he  rudely  flasht 
The  waves  about,  and  all  his  armour  swept, 
Tliat  all  the  blood  and  filth  away  was  washt ; 
Yet  still  he  bet  the  water,  and  the  billowes  dasht, 

43  A  tin  drew  nigh  to  weet  what  it  mote  bee  ; 
For  much  he  wondred  at  that  uncouth  ^  sight : 
Whom  should  he  but  his  own  deare  lord  there  see, 
His  own^  deare  lord  Pyrochles  in  sad  plight, 
Ready  to  drowne  himselfe  for  fell  despight : 

"  Harrow  ^  now,  out  and  well  away  !  "   he  cryde, 
"  What  dismall  day  hath  lent  this  cursed  light. 
To  see  my  lord  so  deadly  damnifyde  *  ? 
Pyrochles,  O  Pyrochles,  what  is  thee  betyde  *  ? 

44  "  I  burne,  I  burne,  I  burne,"  then  lowd  he  cryde, 
*'  O  how  I  burne  with  implacable  fyre  ! 

Yet  nought  can  quench  mine  inly  flaming  syde, 
Nor  sea  of  licour  cold,  nor  lake  of  myre  ; 
Nothing  but  death  can  doe  me  to  respyre."  ® 
"  Ah  !  be  it,"  said  he,  "  from  Pyrochles  farre 
After  pursewing  death  once  to  requyre,' 
Or  think,  that  ought  those  puissant   hands   may 
marre : 
Death  is  for  wi-etches  borne  under  unhappy  starre." 

1  Stept,  steeped.  2  Uncouth,  strange. 

8  Harrow,  an  exclamation,  first  of  alarm  (lielp !),  and  tlien  of  sor- 
row (alas!). 
■*  Damnifyde,  injured.  ^  Betyde,  happened. 

*  I.  e.  make  me  breathe  again,  give  me  ease. 
'  I.  e.  seek  after  death,  which  of  itself  pursues  us. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VI.  379 

46  "  Perdye,  then  is  it  fitt  for  me,"  said  he, 

*'  That  am,  I  weene,  most  wretched  man  alive  ; 
Burning  in  flames,  yet  no  flames  can  I  see, 
And,  dying  dayly,  dayly  yet  revive  : 

0  Atin,  helpe  to  me  last  death  to  give  !  " 
The  Varlet  at  his  plaint  was  grieved  so  sore, 
That  his  deepe-wounded  hart  in  two  did  rive  ; 
And,  his  owne  health  remembring  now  no  more;. 

Did  follow  that  ensample  which  he  blam'd  afore. 

46  Into  the  lake  he  lept  his  lord  to  ayd, 

(So  love  the  dread  of  daunger  doth  despise,) 
And,  of  him  catching  hold,  him  strongly  stayd 
From  drowning;  but  more  happy  he  then^  wise 
Of  that  seas  nature  did  him  not  avise  ^ : 
The  waves  thereof  so  slow  and  sluggish  were, 
Engrost*  with  mud  which  did  them  fowle  agrise,f 
That  every  weighty  thing  they  did  upbeare, 
Ne  ought  mote  ever  sinck  downe  to  the  bottom  there. 

47  Whiles  thus  they  strugled  in  that  ydle  wave, 
And  strove  in  vaine,  the  one  himselfe  to  drowne, 
The  other  both  from  drowning  for  to  save  ; 

Lo  !  to  that  shore  one  in  an  auncient  govvne, 
"Whose  hoary  locks  great  gravitie  did  crowne, 
Holding  in  hand  a  goodly  arming  sword, 
By  fortune  came,  ledd  with  the  troublous  sowne^: 

1  Then,  than.  *  Agrise,  (here)  add  to  the  tcr- 

2  Avise,  bethink  himself.  ror  they  inspired. 

3  Engrost,  made  tliick.  ^  Sowne,  sound. 


380 


THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 


Where  drenched  deepe  he  fownd  in  that  dull  ford 
The  careful!  ^  servaunt  stryving  with  his  raging  lord. 

48  Hirn  Atin,  spying,  knew  right  well  of  yore, 
And  lovvdly  cald  :  "  Help  !  helpe,  O  Archimage, 
To  save  my  lord  in  wretched  plight  forlore ; 
Helpe  with  thy  hand,  or  with  thy  counsell  sage : 
Weake  handes,  but  counsell  is  most  strong  in  age." 
Him  when  tlie  old  man  saw,  he  woundred  sore 
To  see  Pyrochles  there  so  rudely  rage  : 

Yet  sithens  -  helpe,  he  saw,  he  needed  more 
Then  pitty,  he  in  hast  approched  to  the  shoi*e ; 

49  And  cald,  "  Pyrochles,  what  is  this  I  see  ? 
What  hellish  fury  hath  at  earst^  thee  hent*? 
Furious  ever  I  thee  knew  to  bee, 

Yet  never  in  this  strauno;e  astonishment.^" 

"  These  flames,  these  flames,"  he  cryde,  "  do  me 

torment !  " 
"  What  flames,"  quoth  he,  "  when  I  thee  present  see 
In  daunger  rather  to  be  drent  then  brent  ®  ?  " 
"  Harrow'' !  the  flames  which  me  consume,"  said  hee, 
"  Ne  can  be  quencht,  within  my  secret  bowelles  bee. 

1  CareJ'ull,  distressed.  5  Astonishment,  perturbation. 

2  Silhens,  since.  6  Drent  then  brent,  drowned  than  burnt 

3  Al  earst,  suddenly.  ">  Ilarrow,   help. 

4  Uent,  seized. 

XL VIII.  2. —  0  Archimage.']  Archimago's  last  appearance 
was  in  Canto  III.  Stanza  19.  He  had  then  left  Braggadochio  to 
procure  for  him  the  sword  of  I'rince  Arthur;  and  in  the  eighth  canto 


BOOK    IT.       CANTO    VI.  381 

50  "  That  cursed  man,  that  cruel  feend  of  hell, 
Furor,  oh  !  Furor  hath  me  thu.-^  bedio-ht.^ 
His  deadly  woundes  within  my  liver  swell, 

And  his  whott  fyre  burnes  in  mine  entralles  bright, 
Kindled  through  his  infernall  brond  of  spight, 
Sith  late  with  him  I  batteill  vaine  would  boste  ; 
That  now  I  weene  loves  dreaded  thunder-light 
Does  scorch  not  halfe  so  sore,  nor  damned  ghoste 
In  flaming  Phlegeton  does  not  so  felly  ^  roste." 

51  Which  whenas  Archimago  heard,  his  griefe 
He  knew  right  well,  and  him  attonce  disarmd  : 
Then  searcht  his  secret  woundes,  and  madeapriefe* 
Of  every  place  that  was  with  brazing  liarmd, 

Or  with  the  hidden  fier  inly  warrad. 
Which  doen,  he  balmes  and  herbes  thereto  applyde. 
And  evermore  with  mightie  spels  them  charrad  ; 
That  in  short  space  he  has  them  qualify de,* 
And  him  restor'd  to  helth,  that  would  have  algates 
dyde.^ 

1  Bediffhf,  treated,  served.  3  Priefe,  examination. 

2  Felli/,  cruelly.  *  Qualifyde,  eased,  assuaged. 
5  Would  have  algates  dyde,  wished  by  all  means  to  die. 


of  this  present  book  (Stanza  20)  we  are  informed  that  the  sword 
he  now  has  in  his  hand  was  Prince  Arthur's;  but  we  are  nowhere 
told  how  he  contrived  to  get  it  into  his  possession.    H. 


VOL.    T.  30 


APPENDIX. 


VARIATIONS  FROM  THE  FIRST  EDITION,  1590. 

The  "  faults  escaped  in  the  print,"  noted  on  the 
last  page  of  the  first  edition  of  the  first  three  books 
of  the  Faerie  Queene,  have  of  course  been  corrected 
without  remark.  The  same  is  true  in  all  cases  of 
those  trivial  misprints  about  which  there  could  be  no 
question. 

O.  denotes  the  original  editions. 

Page    9,  ].  17,  vi.  Ephes.,  0.  v.  Ephes. 

13,  St.  4,  V.  1,  faire,  0.  fare. 

14,  V.  1,  reedes,  0.  reede. 

15,  V.  5,  deserte,  0.  desertes. 
25,  son.  2,  V.  6,  soverains,  0.  soverain. 
32,  St.    4,  V.  5,  my,  0.  mine. 
60,  St.  17,  V.  9,  die  (ed.  1609),  0.  dies. 
62,  St.  22,  V.  5,  your  (2d  ed.),  0.  thy. 
96,  St.  27,  V.  3,  coffers,  0.  coffets. 

108,  St.    7,  V.  9,  helmets  hewen  deepe  (2d  ed),  0.  hewen  hel- 
mets deepe. 
139,  St.  39,  V.  7,  quoth  he  (2d  ed.),  0.  qd.  she. 
152,  si.  22,  V.  9,  sight  (supplied  from  2d  ed.),  0.  omitted. 
155,  St.  32,  V.  8,  whose  (ed.  1609),  0.  her. 
164,  St.    1.  V.  6,  through,  0.  thorough. 
172,  St.  24,  V.  6,  his  (ed.  1609),  0.  her. 
195,  St.  33,  V.  3,  ypight  (2d  ed.),  0.  yplight. 

198,  St.  42,  V.  7,  holds,  0.  hold. 

199,  St.  46,  V.  7   filsed    0.  falsest. 


384 


APPENDIX. 


Page  201 

"  210 

"  216 

"  222, 

"  22 

"  230 

"  242 

"  244 

"  267 

"  275 

"  277 

"  281 

"  281 

"  291 

"  295 
297 

"  300 

"  303 

"  304 

"  308 

"  309 

"  315 

"  335 

»  347 

"  351 

"  354, 

"  359 

"  363 

"  365 

"  372 

"  378 

'•  381 


(I 


St.  52,  V.  1,  snw  (2d  ed.),  0.  heard. 

St.  20,  V.  5,  supplied  from  ed   1609.     0.  wanting. 

St  36,  V.  6,  their,  0.  there. 

St.  52,  V.  6,  brings,  0.  bring. 

St.  65,  V.  3,  place  (ed.  1609),  0.  face. 

St.  3.     This  star.za  is  supplied  from  2d  ed.    0.  omitted. 


St.  37,  V.  2 
St.  41,  V.  4 
St.  4,  V.  6 
St.  16,  V.  1 
St.  20,  V.  7 
St.  31,  V.  4 
St.  32,  V.  7 
St.  59,  V.  8 
St.  7,  V.  7 
St.  12,  V.  8 
St.  21,  V.  2 
St.  28,  V.  2 
St.  30,  V.  1 
St.  42,  V.  6 


yelled  (ed.  1609),  0.  yelded. 

nor  (ed.  1609),  0.  for. 

thou,  0.  then. 

liefe  (ed.  1609),  0.  life. 

blotted  (2d  ed.),  0.  blotting. 

on,  0.  one. 

must  (ed.  1609),  0.  most. 

great  (ed.  1609),  0.  greet. 

pray,  0.  chace. 

fame  (2d  ed.),  0.  frame. 

hond  (ed.  1609),  0.  hand. 

their  (2d  ed.),  0.  her. 

there  (ed.  1609),  0.  their. 

an  yearely  ....  hold,  0.  any  earely 


make. 

St.  44,  V.  4,  enrold,  0.  entrold. 
St.  11,  V.  4,  courser,  0.  course. 
St.  17,  V.  6-9.     Taken  from  2d  ed.   see  note;. 
arg.  V.  4,  Cymochles,  0.  Gymochles. 
St.  10,  V.  7,  enimyes,  0.  enimye. 
St.  19,  V.  4,  shee  (ed.  1609),  0.  hee. 
St.  32,  V.  6,  meriments,  0.  meriment. 
St.    3,  V.  4,  that  nigh  her  breath  was  gone  (2d  ed.),  0. 

as  merry  as  Pope  lone. 
St.    7,  V.  5,  of,  0.  off. 
St.  27,  V.  9,  there  (ed.  1609),  0.  their. 
St.  43,  V.  7,  lent  this  (2d  ed.),  0.  lent  but  this  his. 
St.  50,  V.  3,  liver  (ed.  1609),  0.  livers. 


END    OF   VOL.    I. 


THE  POETICAL   WORKS 

OF 

EDMU]v^D   SPEJSrSEE. 


VOLUME   11. 


THE 


FAERIE    QUEENE. 

DISPOSED     INTO      TWELVE     BOOKS 


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vol..  il. 


THE    SECOND   BOOKE 


OP 


THE    FAERTE    QUEENE, 


CONTAYNING 


THE   LEGEND    OF    SIR   GUYON,    OR   OF    TEMPERADNCB. 


CANTO   VII. 

Guyon  findes  Mamon  in  a  delve,! 

Sunning  his  threasure  hore  2; 
Is  by  him  tempted,  and  led  downe 

To  see  liis  seci-ete  store. 

I  As  pilot  well  expert  in  perilous  wave, 
That  to  a  stedfast  starre  his  course  hath  bent. 
When  foggy  mistes  or  cloudy  tempests  have 
The  faithfull  light  of  that  faire  lampe  yblent,^ 
And  cover'd  heaven  with  hideous  dreriment,^ 
Upon  his  card  and  compas  firmes  ^  his  eye, 
The  maysters  of  his  long  experiment, 

1  Delve,  dell.  *  Dreriment,  gloom. 

2  /7o)-e,  mouldy.  6  Firmes,  firmly  fixes. 
8  Ybleni,  blinded,  put  out. 

I.  7.  —  The  maysters  qfhis  long  experiment.^     His  guides  in  the 
long  voyage  he  is  trying.   H. 


1  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  to  them  does  the  steddy  helme  ajiply, 
Bidding  his  winged  vessell  f'airely  forward  fly : 

2  So  Guyon,  having  lost  his  trustie  guyde, 
Late  left  beyond  that  Ydle  Lake,  proceedes 
Yet  on  his  way,  of  none  accompanyde  ; 
And  evermore  himselfe  with  comfort  feedes 
Of  his  own  vertues  and  praise-worthie  deedes,. 
So,  long  he  yode,^  yet  no  adventure  found, 
Which  Fame  of  her  shrill  trompet  worthy  reed^is^: 
For  still  he  traveild  through  wide  wastfull^  ground, 

That  nought  but  desert  wildernesse  shewed  all  around. 

3  At  last  he  came  unto  a  gloomy  glade, 

Cover'd    witli    boughes  and  shrubs  from  heavens 

light, 
Whereas  he  sitting  found  in  secret  shade 
An  uncouth,  salvage,  and  unciviJe  wight, 
Of  griesly  hew  and  fowle  ill-favour'd  sight; 
His  face  with  smoke  was  tand,  and  eies  were  bleard, 
His  head  and  beard  with  sout*  were  ill  bedight,^ 
His  cole-blacke  hands  did  seeme  to  have  ben  seard 
[n  smythes  fire-spitting  forge,  and  nayles  like  clawes 

appeard. 

*  His  yron  cote,  all  overgrowne  with  rust, 
Was  underneath  enveloped  with  gold  ; 
Whose  glistring  glosse,  darkned  witli  filthy  dust, 
Well  yet  appeared  to  have  beene  of  old 

1  Yode,  went.  *  Sovt,  soot. 

8  Reedes,  deems.  6  Bedight,  covered. 

8  [i'dslj'tdl,  uiiuiliabited. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VII.  0 

A  vvorke  of  rich  entayle^  and  curious  mould 
Woven  with  antickes^  and  wykl  ymagery  : 
And  in  his  lap  a  masse  of  coyne  he  told, 
And  turned  upside  downe,  to  feede  his  eye 
A.nd  covetous  desire  with  his  huge  threasury. 

5  And  round  about  him  lay  on  every  side 

Great  heapes  of  gold  that  never  could  be  spent ; 
Of  which  some  were  rude  owre,  not  purifide, 
Of  Mulcibers  devouring  element ; 
Some  others  were  new  driven,  and  distent® 
Into  great  ingowes*  and  to  wedges  square  ; 
Some  in  round  plates  withouten  moniment^: 
But  most  were  stampt,  and  in  their  metal  bare 
The  antique  shapes  of  kings  and  kesars®  sti-aung  and 
rare. 

6  Soone  as  he  Guyon  saw,  in  great  affright 
And  haste  he  rose  for  to  remove  aside 

Those  pretious  hils  from  straungers  envious  sight, 
And    downe   them    poured    through  an    hole  full 

wide 
Into  the  hollow  earth,  them  there  to  hide : 
But  Guyon,  lightly  to  him  leaping,  stayd 
His  hand  that  trembled  as  one  terrifyde  ; 
And  though  himselfe  were  at  the  sight  dismayd, 
Yet   him  perforce  restraynd,  and  to  him  doubtful!' 

sayd : 

1  Entuyle,  carving.  ^  Mortiment,  stamp. 

2  Anthkes,  fantastic  figures.  ^  Kesars,  emperors. 
8  Distent,  beaten  out.  T  Doubtfull,  fearful. 
*  Inyowes,  ingots. 


6  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

7  "  "Wliat  art  thou,  Man,  (if  man  at  all  thou  art,) 
That  here  in  desert  hast  thine  habitaunce, 
And  these  rich  hils  of  welth  doest  hide  apart 
From  the  worldes  eye,  and  from  her  right  usaunce  ?  " 
Thereat,  with  staring  eyes  fixed  askaunce, 

In  great  disdaine  he  ansvverd :  "  Hardy  Elfe, 
That  darest  vew  my  direfull  countenaunce ! 
I  read*  thee  rash  and  heedlesse  of  thyselfe, 
To   trouble   my   still   seate  and  heapes  of  pretious 
pelfe. 

8  "  God  of  the  world  and  worldlings  I  me  call, 
Great  Mammon,  greatest  god  below  the  skye, 
That  of  my  plenty  poure  out  unto  all, 

And  unto  none  my  graces  do  envye  : 
Riches,  renowme,  and  principality. 
Honour,  estate,  and  all  this  worldes  good, 
For  which  men  swinck  ^  and  sweat  incessantly, 
Fro  me  do  flow  into  an  ample  flood, 
And  in  the  hollow  earth  have  their  eternall  brood. 

9  "  Wherefore,  if  me  thou  deigne  to  serve  and  sew,' 
At  thy  commaund,  lo  !  all  these  mountaines  bee  ; 
Or  if  to  thy  great  mind,  or  greedy  vew, 

All  these  may  not  suffise,  there  shall  to  thee 
Ten  times  so  much  be  nombred*  francke  and  free." 
"  Mammon,"  said  he,  "  thy  godheads  vaunt  is  vaine» 
And  idle  offers  of  thy  golden  fee  ; 
To  them  that  covet  such  eye-glutting  gaine 
Proffer  thy  giftes,  and  fitter  servaunts  entertaine. 

1  Read,  deem.  8  ggw,  follow. 

2  Swinck,  toil.  ^  Nombred,  counted  out 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    VII.  I 

10  "  Me  ill  besits,*  that  in  derdoing  ^  arraes 
And  honours  suit  my  vowed  daies  do  spend, 
Unto  thy  bounteous  baytes  and  pleasing  charmes, 
With  which  weake  men  thou  witchest,  to  attend ; 
Regard  of  worldly  mucke  ^  doth  fowly  blend  * 
And  low  abase  the  high  heroicke  spright, 

That   ioyes  for   crownes  and  kingdomes  to  con- 
tend ; 
Faire  shields,  gay  steedes,  bright  armes,  be  my  de- 
light ; 
Those  be  the  riches  fit  for  an  advent'rous  knight." 

11  "Vaine  glorious  Elfe,"  saide  he,  "doest  not  thou 

weet,^ 

That  money  can  thy  wantes  at  will  supply  ? 

Sheilds,  steeds,  and  armes,  and  all  things  for  thee 
meet, 

It  can  purvay  in  twinckling  of  an  eye  ; 

And  crownes  and  kingdomes  to  thee  multiply. 

Doe  not  I  kings  ci*eate,  and  throw  the  crowne 

Sometimes  to  him  that  low  in  dust  doth  ly, 

And  him  that  raignd  into  his  rowme  thrust  downe, 
And  whom  I  lust®  do  heape  with  glory  and  re- 
no  wTie?" 

12  "  All  otherwise,"  saide  he,  "  I  riches  read,' 
And  deeme  them  roote  of  all  disquietnesse  ; 
First  got  with  guile,  and  then  preserv'd  with  dread, 

1  Besils,  becomes.  *  "'««<'  1^"°^- 

2  Derdoing,  (literally)  doing  daring  deeds.      '  -^"s'l  please. 

8  Macke,  dirt.  "  '  ^««^^.  conceive  of. 

4  Blend,  pollute. 


8  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  after  spent  with  pride  and  lavishnesse, 
Leaving  behind  them  griefe  and  heavinesse : 
Infinite  mischiefes  of"  them  doe  arize  ; 
Strife  and  debate,  bloodshed  and  bitternesse, 
Outrageous  wrong  and  hellish  covetize  ; 
That  noble  heart,  as  great  dishonour,  doth  despize. 

13  "  Ne  thine  be  kingdoraes,  ne  the  scepters  thine  ; 
But  realmes  and  rulers  thou  doest  both  confound, 
And  lojall  truth  to  treason  doest  incline : 
Witnesse  the  guiltlesse  blood  pourd  oft  on  ground ; 
The  crowned  often  slaine  ;  the  slayer  cround; 
The  sacred  diademe  in  peeces  I'ent ; 

And  purple  robe  gored  with  many  a  wound  ; 
Castles  surprizd  ;  great  citties  sackt  and  brent*: 
So  raak'st  thou  kings,  and  gaynest  wrongful!  gov- 
ernment ! 

14  '•  Long   were   to   tell   the  troublous  stormes  that 

tosse 
The  private  state,  and  make  the  life  unsweet : 
Who  swelling  sayles  in  Caspian  sea  doth  crosse, 
And  in  frayle  wood  on  Adrian  gulf  doth  fleet,^ 
Doth  not,  I  weene,  so  many  evils  meet." 
Then   Mammon  wexing  wroth,  "  And  why  then," 

sayd, 
"  Are  mortall  men  so  fond  and  undiscreet 
So  evill  thing  to  seeke  unto  their  ayd  ; 
And    having    not,    complaine  ;     and    having    it,    up- 

brayd  ?  " 

1  Brent,  burned.  2  /,7ee<,  float 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    Vn.  y 

15  '•  Incleede," quotli  lie,  "through  fowle intemperaunce, 
Frayle  men  are  oft  capti  v'd  to  covetise : 

But  would  they  thinke  with  how  small  allowaunce 
Untroubled  nature  doth  herselfe  suffise, 
Such  superfluities  they  would  despise, 
Which  with  sad  cares  empeach  ^  our  native  ioyes. 
At  the  well-head  the  purest  strearaes  arise ; 
But  mucky  filth  his  braunching  arnies  annoyes, 
And  with  uncomely  weedes  the  gentle  wave  accloyes.^ 

16  "  The  antique  world,  in  his  first  flowring  youth, 
Fownd  no  defect  in  his  Creators  grace ; 

But  with  glad  thankes,  and  unreproved^  truth, 
The  guifts  of  soveraine  bounty  did  embrace: 
Like  angels  life  was  then  mens  happy  cace : 
But  later  ages  pride,  like  corn-fed  steed, 
Abusd  her  plenty  and  fat-swolne  encreace 
To  all  licentious  lust,  and  gan  exceed 
The  measure  of  her  raeane*  and  natural!  first,  need. 

17  "  Then  gan  a  cursed  hand  the  quiet  wombe 

Of  his  great  grandmother  with  Steele  to  wound, 
And  the  hid  treasures  in  her  sacred  tombe 
With  sacriledge  to  dig.      Therein  he  fownd 
Fountaines  of  gold  and  silver  to  abownd. 
Of  which  the  matter  of  his  huge  desire 
And  pompous  pride  eftsoones  ^  he  did  compownd  ; 
Then  Avarice  gan  through  his  veines  inspire 
His  greedy  flames,  and  kindled  life-devouring  fire." 

1  Empeach,  hinder.  *  Meane,  moderate  portion. 

2  Acdoyts,  chokes.  6  Eftsomies,  immediately. 
8  Dhrejjroved,  blameless. 


10  THE    FAERIK    QUKENE. 

18  "  Sonne,"  said  he  then,  "  lett  be  thy  bitter  scorne, 
And  leave  the  rudenesse  of  that  antique  age 

To  them,  that  liv'd  therin  in  state  forlorne. 
Thou,  that  doest  live  in  later  times,  must  wage^ 
Thy  workes  for  wealth,  and  life  for  gold  engage. 
If  then  thee  list  my  ofFred  grace  to  use, 
Take  what  thou  please  of  all  this  surplusage  ; 
If  thee  list  not,  leave  have  thou  to  refuse : 
But  thing  refused  doe  not  afterward  accuse." 

19  "  Me  list  not,"  said  the  Elfin  Knight,  "  receave 
Thing  offred,  till  I  know  it  well  be  gott ; 

Ne  wote  "^  I  but  thou  didst  these  goods  bereave 
From  rightfull  owner  by  unrighteous  lott. 
Or  that  blood-guiltinesse  or  guile  them  blott." 
"  Perdy,"  quoth  he,  "  yet  never  eie  did  vew, 
Ne  tong  did  tell,^  ne  hand  these  handled  not ; 
But  safe  I  have  them  kept  in  secret  mew* 
From    hevens    sight  and    poAvre  of  al  which  them 
poursew." 

ao  "  What  secret  place,"  quoth  he,  "  can  safely  hold 
So  huge  a  masse,  and  hide  from  heavens  eie  ? 
Or  where  hast  thou  thy  wonne,^  that  so  much  gold 
Thou  canst  preserve  from  wrong  and  robbery  ?  " 
"  Come  thou,"  quoth  he,  "  and  see."     So  by  and  b)' 
Through  that  thick  covert  he  him  led,  and  fownd 
A  darkesome  way,  which  r.o  man  could  descry, 


1  Wage,  let  out  on  hire.  *  Mem,  hiding-place. 

2  W'ote,  know.  5  Wonne,  dwelling. 
8  Tell,  count. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VII.  11 

That  deep  descended  through  the  hollow  grownd, 
And  was  with  dread  and  horror  compassed  arownd. 

21  At  length  they  came  into  a  larger  space, 
That  stretcht  itselfe  into  an  ample  playne  ; 
Through  which  a  beaten  broad  high  way  did  trace 
That  streight  did  lead  to  Plutoes  griesly  rayne  * : 
By  that  wayes  side  there  s&.te  infernall  Payne, 
And  fast  beside  him  sat  tumultuous  Strife; 

The  one  in  hand  an  yron  whip  did  strayne. 
The  other  brandished  a  bloody  knife  ; 
And  both  did  gnash  their  teeth,  and  both  did  threten 
Life. 

22  On  th'  other  side  in  one  consort^  there  sate 
Cruell  Revenge,  and  rancorous  Despight, 
Disloyall  Treason,  and  hart-biirniiig  Hate  ; 
But  gnawing  Gealosy,  out  of  their  sight 
Sitting  alone,  his  bitter  lips  did  bight ; 
And  trembling  Feare  still  to  and  fro  did  fly, 

And  found  no  place  wher  safe  he  shroud  him  might : 
Lamenting  Sorrow  did  in  darknes  lye  ; 
And  Shame  his  ugly  face  did  hide  from  living  eye. 

23  And  over  them  sad  Horror  with  grim  hew 
Did  alwaies  sore,  beating  his  yron  wings  ; 
And  after  him  owles  and  night-ravens  flew, 
The  hatefull  messengers  of  heavy  things, 
Of  death  and  dolor  ^  telling  sad  tidings  ; 


1  Rnj/ne,  rei^n,  kingdom.  '  Dolor,  grief. 

2  Coiisdrl,  company. 


12  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Whiles  sad  Celeno,  sitting  on  a  clifte, 
A  song  of  bale  *  tuid  bitter  sorrow  sings, 
That  hart  of  flint  asonder  could  have  rifte  ^  ; 
Which  having  ended,  after  him  she  flyeth  swifte. 

24  All  these  before  the  gates  of  Pluto  lay ; 

•    By  whom  they  passing  spake  unto  them  nought. 
But  th'  Elhn  Kniglif  with  wonder  all  the  way 
Did  feed  his  eyes,  and  tild  his  inner  thought. 
At  last  hiin  to  a  litle  dore  he  brought, 
That  to  the  gate  of  hell,  which  gaped  wide. 
Was  next  adioyning,  ne  them  parted  ought : 
Betwixt  them  both  was  but  a  litle  stride, 
That  did  the  house  of  Richesse  from  hell-mouth  divide. 

25  Before  the  dore  sat  selfe-consuming  Cai-e, 
Day  and  night  keeping  wary  watch  and  ward, 
For  feare  least  Force  or  Fraud  should  unaware 
Breake  in,  and  spoile  the  treasure  there  in  gard : 
Ne  would  he  suffer  Sleepe  once  thether-ward 
Approch,  albe  ^  his  drowsy  den  were  next ; 

For  next  to  Death  is  Sleepe  to  be  compard  ; 
Therefore  his  house  is  unto  his  annext : 
Here  Sleep,   ther   Richesse,  and  hel-gate  them  both 
betwext. 

26  So  soone  as  Mammon  there  arrivd,  the  dore 
To  him  did  open  and  affoorded  way : 

1  Bale,  woe.  -  Rifle,  riven.  3  Albe,  although. 

XXTIl.  6.  —  Had  Celeno.]     Celeno  was  the  iiiune  of  oi<e  of  the 
Harpies.    11. 


BOOK    II,       CANTO    YIl.  13 

Him  followed  eke  Sir  Guvon  evermore, 
Ne  darkenesse  him  ne  daunger  might  dismay. 
Soone  as  he  entred  was,  the  dore  streiglitway 
Did  shutt,  and  from  behind  it  forth  there  lept 
An  ugly  feend,  more  fowle  then  dismall  day^; 
The    which    with    monstrous    stalke    behind    him 
stept, 
And  ever  as  he  went  dew  watch  upon  him  kept. 

■27  "Well  hoped  hee,  ere  long  that  hardy  guest, 
If  ever  covetous  hand,  or  lustfuU  eye. 
Or  lips  he  layd  on  thing  that  likte  him  best, 
Or  ever  sleepe  his  eie-strings  did  untye, 
Should  be  his  pray  :  and  therefore  still  on  hye 
He  over  him  did  hold  his  cruell  clawes, 
Threatning  with  greedy  gripe  to  doe  him  dye, 
And  rend  in  peeces  with  his  ravenous  pawes, 

If  ever  he  transgrest  the  fatall  Stygian  lawes. 

28  That  houses  forme  within  was  rude  and  strong, 
Lyke  an  huge  cave  hewne  out  of  roctky  clifte, 
From    whose    rough    vaut    the    ragged    breaches 

hong 
Embost  with  massy  gold  of  glorious  guifte,^ 
And  with  rich  metall  loaded  every  rifte, 
Tliat  heavy  ruine  they  did  seeme  to  threatt ; 
And  over  them  Arachne  high  did  lifte 
Her  cunning  web,  and  spred  her  subtile  nett. 

Enwrapped  in  fowle  smoke   and  clouds  more  black 
then  iett. 

1  I.  e.  day  of  doom,  ov  deuth,  as  in  Can.  viii.  v.  51. 

2  Guifte,  gift;  i.  e.  gifted  with  glorious  riclu)e.ss. 


14  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

29  Botli  roofe,  and  floore,  and  walls,  were  all  of  gold, 
But  overgrowne  with  dust  and  old  decay, 

And  hid  in  darkenes,  that  none  could  hehold 
The  hew  thereof:  for  vew  of  cherefull  day 
Did  rever  in  that  house  itselfe  display, 
But  a  faint  shadow  of  uncertein  light ; 
Such  as  a  lamp,  whose  life  does  fade  away ; 
Or  as  the  nioone,  cloathed  with  clowdy  night, 
Does  shew  to  him  that  walkes  in  feare  and  sad  affright. 

30  In  all  that  rowme  was  nothing  to  be  seene 
But  huge  great  yron  chests,  and  coffers  strong, 
All  bard  with  double  bends,^  that  none  could  weene 
Them  to  efforce  by  violence  or  wrong  ; 

On  every  side  they  placed  were  along. 

But  all  the  grownd  with  sculs  was  scattered 

And  dead  mens  bones,  which  round   about  were 

flong; 
Whose  lives,  it  seemed,  whilorae  there  were  shed, 
And  their  vile  carcases  now  left  unburied. 

31  They  forward  passe  ;  ne  Guyon  yet  spoke  word, 
Till  that  they  came  unto  an  yron  dore, 

Which  to  them  opened  of  his  owne  accord. 
And  shewd  of  riehesse  such  exceeding  store, 
As  eie  of  man  did  never  see  before, 
Ne  ever  could  within  one  place  be  fownd, 
Though  all  the  wealth  which  is,  or  was  of  yore. 
Could  gathered  be  through  all  the  world  arownd. 
And  that  above  were  added  to  that  under  grownd. 

1  Bends,  bands. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    VII.  15 

32  The  chai-ge  thereof  unto  a  covetous  spright 
Commaunded  was,  who  thereby  did  attend, 
And  warily  awaited  day  and  night, 
From  other  covetous  feends  it  to  defend, 
Who  it  to  rob  and  ransacke  did  intend. 

Then  Mammon,  turning  to  that  warriour,  said : 
"  Loe,  here  the  worldes  blis  !  loe,  here  the  end, 
To  which  al  men  doe  ayme,  rich  to  be  made ! 
Such  grace  now  to  be  happy  is  before  thee  laid." 

33  "  Certes,"  sayd  he,  "  I  n'ill  ^  thine  offred  grace, 
Ne  to  be  made  so  ^  happy  doe  intend  ! 
Another  blis  before  mine  eyes  I  place, 
Another  happines,  another  end. 

To  them  that  list,  these  base  regardes  ^  I  lend  : 
But  I  in  armes,  and  in  atchievements  brave. 
Do  rather  choose  my  flitting  houres  to  spend. 
And  to  be  lord  of  those  that  riches  have. 
Then  them  to  have  my  selfe,  and  be  their  servile 
sclave." 

j4  Thereat  the  Feend  his  gnashing  teeth  did  grate, 
And  griev'd,  so  long  to  lacke  his  greedie  pray  ; 
For  well  he  weened  that  so  glorious  bayte 
Would  tempt  his  guest  to  take  thereof  assay  *  ; 
Had  he  so  doen,  he  had  him  snatcht  away 
More  light  then  culver  ^  in  the  faulcons  fist : 
Eternall  God  thee  save  from  such  decay ! 


1  N'ill,  will  not  have.  *  Assay,  trial. 

'^  So,  in  this  way.  ^  Culver,  pigeon. 

8  Refjardes,  considenitions. 


16  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But,  whenas  INIammon  saw  his  purpose  mist, 
Him  to  entrap  unwares  another  way  he  wist. 

So  Thence,  forward  he  him  ledd  and  shortly  brought 
Unto  another  rowme,  whose  dore  forthright 
To  hira  did  open  as  it  had  beene  taught : 
Therein  an  hundred  raunges  weren  pight/ 
And  hundred  fournaces  all  burning  bright ; 
By  every  fournace  many  feendes  did  byde, 
Deformed  creatures,  horrible  in  sight ; 
And  every  feend  his  busie  paines  applyde 

To  melt  the  golden  metall,  ready  to  be  tryde. 

86  One  with  great  bellowes  gathered  filling  ayre, 
And  with  forst  wind  the  fewell  did  inflame ; 
Another  did  the  dying  bronds  repayre 
With  yron  tongs,  and  sprinckled  ofte  the  same 
With  liquid  waves,  fiers  Vulcans  rage  to  tame, 
Who,  maystring^  them,  renewd  his  former  heat: 
Some  scumd  the  drosse  that  from  the  metall  came  ; 
Some  stird  the  molten  owre  with  ladles  great : 

And  every  one  did  swincke,^  and  every  one  did  sweat. 

37  But,  when  an  earthly  wight  they  present  saw 
Glistring  in  armes  and  battailous  aray, 
From  their  whot  work  they  did  themselves  withdraw 
To  wonder  at  the  sight ;  for,  till  that  day, 
They  never  creature  saw  that  cam  that  way : 
Their  staring  eyes  sparckling  with  fervent  fyre 


1  Pialit,  placed.  ^  Sioincke,  toil. 

2  Maystnnc/,  masterinpj,  or  subduing. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VII.  17 

And  ugly  shapes  did  nigh  the  man  dismay, 
That,  were  it  not  for  shame,  he  woukl  retyre ; 
Till  that  him  thus  bespake  their  soveraine  lord  andsyre: 

33  "  Behold,  thou  Faeries  sonne,  with  mortall  eye. 
That  living  eye  before  did  never  see ! 
The  thing  that  thou  didst  crave  so  earnestly, 
To  weet  whence  all  the  wealth  late  shewd  by  mee 
Proceeded,  lo  !  now  is  reveald  to  thee. 
Here  is  the  fountaine  of  the  worldes  good  ! 
Now  therefore,  if  thou  wilt  enriched  bee, 
Avise  ^  thee  well,  and  chaunge  thy  wilfull  mood  ^ 

Least  thou  perhaps  hereafter  wish,  and  be  withstood." 

39  "  Suffise  it  then,  thou  Money-god,"  quoth  hee, 
"  That  all  thine  ydle  offers  I  refuse. 
All  that  I  need  I  have  ;  what  needeth  mee 
To  covet  more  then  I  have  cause  to  use  ? 
With  such  vaine  shewes  thy  worldlinges  vyle abuse; 
But  give  me  leave  to  follow  mine  emprise." 
Mammon  was  much  displeasd,  yet  no'te^  he  chuse 
But  beare  the  rigour  of  his  bold  mesprise  ^  ; 

And  thence  him  forward  ledd,  him  further  to  entise. 

10  He  brought  him,  through  a  darksom  narrow  strayt, 
To  a  broad  gate  all  built  of  beaten  gold  : 
The  gate  was  open  ;  but  therein  did  wayt 
A  sturdie  villein,  stryding  stiffe  and  bold. 
As  if  the  highest  God  defy  he  would : 


1  Avise,  bethink.  »  Afesjivise,  contempt. 

2  No'te,  could  not. 

VOL.  II.  2 


18  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

In  his  right  hand  an  yrou  club  he  held, 
But  he  himseli'e  was  all  of  golden  mould, 
Yet  had  both  life  and  sence,  and  well  could  weld 
That  cursed  weapon,  when  his  cruell  foes  he  queld. 

41  Disdayne  he  called  was,  and  did  disdayne 
To  be  so  cald,  and  who  so  did  him  call : 

Sterne  was  his  looke,  and  full  of  stomacke  ^  vayne ; 
His  portaunce  "  terrible,  and  stature  tall. 
Far  passing  th'  hight  of  men  terrestriall ; 
Like  an  huge  gyant  of  the  Titans  race  ; 
•  That  made   him  scorne    all   creatures  great   and 
small. 
And  with  his  pride  all  others  powre  deface  : 
More  fitt  emongst  black  tiendes  then  men  to  have  his 
place. 

42  Soone  as  those  glitterand  armes  he  did  espye, 
That  with  their  brightnesse  made  that  darknes  light, 
His  harmefuU  club  he  gan  to  hurtle  ^  hye. 

And  threaten  batteill  to  the  Faery  Knight ; 
Wlio  likewise  gan  himselfe  to  batteill  dight,* 
Till  Mammon  did  his  hasty  hand  withhold. 
And  counseld  him  abstaine  from  perilous  fight ; 
For  nothing  might  abash  that  villein  bold, 
Ne  mortall  Steele  emperce  his  miscreated  mould. 

is  So  having  him  with  reason  pacifyde. 

And  the  tiers  carle  commaunding  to  forbears, 


1  Stomacke,  haughtiness.  ^  //urtle,  brandish. 

2  Portaunce,  bearing.  *  Disht,  pi-epare. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VII.  19 


He  brought  him  in.     The  rowme  was  large  and 

wyde, 
As  it  some  gyeld  ^  or  solemne  temple  weare  ; 
Many  great  golden  pillours  did  upbeare 
The  massy  roofe,  and  riches  huge  sustayne ; 
And  every  pillour  decked  was  full  deare^ 
With  crownes,  and  diademes,  and  titles  vaine, 
Which  mortall  princes  wore  whiles  they  on  earth  did. 
rayne. 

44  A  route  of  people  there  assembled  were, 
Of  every  sort  and  nation  under  skye, 

Which  with  great  uprore  preaced  ^  to  draw  nere 
To  th'  upper  part,  where  was  advaunced  hye 
A  stately  siege  *  of  soveraine  maiestye  ; 
And  thereon  satt  a  woman  gorgeous  gay, 
And  richly  cladd  in  robes  of  royaltye, 
That  never  earthly  prince  in  such  aray 
His  glory  did  enhaunce,  and  pompous  pryde  display; 

45  Her  face  right  wondrous  faire  did  seeme  to  bee, 
That  her  broad  beauties  beam  great  brightnes  threw 
Through  the  dim  shade,  that  all  men  might  it  see ; 
Yet  was  not  that  same  her  owne  native  hew. 

But  wrought  by  art  and  counterfetted  shew. 
Thereby  more  lovers  unto  her  to  call ; 
Nath'lesse  most  hevenly  faire  in  deed  and  vew 
She  by  creation  was,  till  she  did  fall ; 
Thenceforth  she  sought  for  helps  to  cloke  her  crime 
withall. 

1  GyeU,  guild  (-hall).  8  Preaced,  pressed. 

2  Deare,  richly.  4  Sie(je,  seat. 


20  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

46  There,  as  in  glistring  glory  she  did  sitt, 
She  held  a  great  gold  chaine  ylincked  well, 
Whose  upper  end  to  highest  heven  was  knitt, 
And  lower  part  did  reach  to  lowest  hell  ; 

And  all  that  preace^  did  rownd  about  her  swell 
To  catchen  hold  of  that  long  chaine,  thereby 
To  climbe  aloft,  and  others  to  excell  : 
That  was  Ambition,  rash  desire  to  sty,^ 
And  every  linck  thereof  a  step  of  dignity. 

47  Some  thought  to  raise  themselves  to  high  degree 
By  riches  and  unrighteous  reward  ; 

Some  by  close  shouldring ;  some  by  flatteree  ; 
Others  through  friendes  ;  others  for  base  regard  ; 
And  all,  by  wrong  waies,  for  themselves  prepard : 
Those  that  were  up  themselves,  kept  others  low  ; 
Those  that  were  low  themselves,  held  others  hard, 
Ne  suffred  them  to  ryse  or  greater  grow  ; 
But  every  one  did  strive  his  fellow  downe  to  throw. 

48  Which  whenas  Guyon  saw,  he  gan  inquire, 
What  meant  that  preace*  about  that  ladies  throne, 
And  what  she  was  that  did  so  high  aspyre  ? 

Him  Mammon  answered  :  "  That  goodly  one. 
Whom  all  tliat  folke  with  such  contention 
Doe  Hock  about,  my  deare,  my  daughter  is  : 
Honour  and  dignitie  from  her  alone 
Derived  are,  and  all  this  worldes  blis. 
For  which  ye  men  doe  strive ;   few  gett,  but  many 
mis. 

1  Preace,  press.  *  Sty,  ascend. 


BOOK    II,       CANTO    VII.  21 

49  "  And  fayre  Philotime  *  she  rightly  hight, 
The  fairest  wight  that  wonneth  ^  under  skye ; 
But  that  tliis  darksora  neather  world  her  li"-ht 
Doth  dim  with  horror  and  deformity, 
Worthie  of  heven  and  hye  felicitie, 

From  whence  the  gods  have  her  for  envy  thurst : 
But,  sith  thou  hast  found  favour  in  mine  eye. 
Thy  spouse  I  will  her  make,  if  that  thou  lust  ^  ; 
That  she  may  thee  advance  for  works  and  merits  iust." 

50  "  Gramercy,  Mammon,"  said  the  gentle  Knight, 
"  For  so  great  grace  and  offred  high  estate ; 
But  I,  that  am  fraile  flesh  and  earthly  wight, 
Unworthy  match  for  such  immortall  mate 
Myselfe  well  wote,*  and  mine  unequall  fate : 
And  were  I  not,  yet  is  my  trouth  yplight,^ 
And  love  avowd  to  other  lady  late. 

That  to  remove  the  same  I  have  no  mi^^ht : 
To  chaunge  love  causelesse    is    reproch  to  warlike 
knight." 

51  Mammon  emmoved  was  with  inward  wrath  ; 
Yet,  forcing  it  to  fayne,  him  forth  thence  ledd, 
Through  griesly  shadowes  by  a  beaten  path. 
Into  a  gardin  goodly  garnished 

With  hearbs  and  fruits,  whose  kinds  mote  not  be 

redd  ^  : 
Not  such  as  earth  out  of  her  fruitfull  woomb 


^  Philotimi  (Greek),  Amhitwn.  *  Wote,  know. 

2  Wmnelh,  dwelleth.  5  YplirjIU,  plighted. 

8  Lnst,  list,  desire.  6  Redd,  conceived  of. 


22  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Throwes  forth  to  men,  sweet  and  well  savored, 
But  direfull  deadly  black,  both  leafe  and  bloom, 
Fitt  to  adorne  the  dead  and  deck  the  di-ery  toombe. 

6-2  There  mournfull  cypresse  grew  in  greatest  store ; 
And  trees  of  bitter  gall ;  and  heben  ^  sad  ; 
Dead  sleeping  poppy  ;  and  black  hellebore  ; 
Cold  coloquintida  ;  and  tetra  mad  ; 
Mortall  samnitis  ;  and  cicuta^  bad, 
With  which  th'  uniust  Atheniens  made  to  dy 
Wise  Socrates,  who  ^hereof  quaffing  glad, 
Pourd  out  his  life  and  last  philosophy 

To  the  fayre  Critias,  his  dearest  belamy  ^ ! 

63  The  Gardin  of  Proserpina  this  hight : 
And  in  the  midst  thereof  a  silver  seat, 
With  a  thick  arber  goodly  overdight,^ 
In  which  she  often  usd  from  open  heat 
Herselfe  to  shroud,  and  pleasures  to  entreat.* 
Next  thereunto  did  grow  a  goodly  tree. 


1  Helen,  ebony.  *  Overdight,  overspread. 

2  Cicuia,  liemlock.  5  Entreat,  woo,  or  enjoy. 
8  Belamy  (bel  ami,  Fr.),  fair  friend. 

LII.  4,  5.  —  There  are  no  such  plants  as  tetra  and  samnitis. 
Upton  conjectures  that  Spenser  meant  by  the  former  the  dead- 
ly nipihtshadc,  and  that  samnitis  is  the  arbor  sabina,  or  savin-tree, 
which  was  tlionf;ht  to  produce  abortion.     C. 

LIT.  6-9.  It  was  Theramenes  who,  when  drinking  the  fatal 
cup,  dashed  out  the  last  drops,  exclaiming,  "  'I'his  to  the  lovely 
Critias!"  —  his  mortal  enemy;  and  Crito  was  the  friend  that 
clung  to  Socrates  to  the  last.  Critias  had  once  been  his  disci- 
ple, but  became  the  worst  of  his  persecutors.     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VII.  23 

With  braunches  broad  dispredd  and  body  great, 
Clothed  with  leaves,  that  none  the  wood  mote  see, 
And  loaden  all  with  fruit  as  thick  as  it  might  bee. 

64  Their  fruit  were  golden  apples  glistring  bright, 
That  goodly  was  their  glory  to  behold  ; 

On  earth  like  never  grew,  ne  living  wight 
Like  ever  saw,  but  they  from  hence  were  sold ; 
For  those,  which  Hercules  with  conquest  bold 
Got  from  great  Atlas  daughters,  hence  began, 
And  planted  there  did  bring  forth  fruit  of  gold  ; 
And  those,  with  wliich  th'  Eubaean  young  man  wan 
Swift  Atalanta,  when  through  craft  he  her  out  ran. 

65  Here  also  sprong  that  goodly  golden  fruit. 
With  which  Acontius  got  his  lover  trew. 
Whom  he  had  long  time  sought  with  fruitlesse  suit ; 
Here  eke  that  famous  golden  apple  grew. 

The  which  emongest  the  gods  false  Ate  threw ; 
For  which  th'  Ida^an  Ladies  disagreed, 


LiY.  Q.—  Got  from  great  Atlas  daughters.]  The  Hesperides, 
who  were,  according  to  one  account,  the  daughters  of  Atlas  and 
'Hespei-is,  daughter  of  Hespems.     C. 

LIV.  9. —  Swift  Atalanta.]  Hippomenes  vanquished  Atalanta 
in  a  foot-race,  by  dropping  before  her,  whenever  she  was  likely 
to  get  the  start  of  him,  an  apple  of  gold,  which  she  stopped  to 
gather.    H. 

LV.  2.  —  Aco?itms.]  Acontius  was  a  youth  of  humble  origin, 
who  fell  in  love  with  Cydippe,  of  Delos,  and,  being  unsuccessful  in 
his  suit,  wrote  on  an  apple,  which  he  gave  to  her,  the  words, "  By 
Diana,  I  will  wed  Acontius."  Cydippe  read  the  words,  and  felt 
constrained  to  marry  her  lover,  by  the  involuntary  oath  she 
nad  uttered.    H. 


24  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Till  partiall  Paris  dempt^  it  Venus  dew, 
And  had  of  her  fayre  Helen  for  his  meed, 
That  many  noble  Greekesand  Troians  made  to  bleed. 

56  The  warlike  Elfe  much  wondred  at  this  tree, 
So  fayre  and  great,  that  shadowed  all  the  ground ; 
And  his  broad  braunches,  laden  with  rich  fee,^ 
Did  stretch  themselves  without  the  utmost  bound 
Of  this  great  gardin,  compast  with  a  mound  : 
Which  overhanging,  they  themselves  did  steepe 
In  a  blacke  flood,  which  flow'd  about  it  round  ; 
Tliat  is  the  river  of  Cocytus  deepe, 

In  which  full  many  soules  do  endlesse  wayle  and  weepe. 

67  Which  to  behold  he  clomb  up  to  the  bancke. 
And,  looking  downe,  saw  many  damned  wightes 
In  those  sad  waves,  which  direfull  deadly  stancke, 
Plonged  continually  of  ^  cruell  sprightes, 
That  with  their  piteous  cryes,  and  yelling  shrightes^ 
They  made  the  further  shore  resounden  wide : 
Emongst  the  rest  of  those  same  ruefull  sightes, 
One  cursed  creature  he  by  chaunce  espide, 

That  drenched  lay  full  deepe  under  the  garden  side. 

58  Deepe  was  he  drenched  to  the  ui)most  chin, 
Yet  gaped  still,  as  coveting  to  drinke 
Of  the  cold  liquour  which  he  waded  in  ; 
And,  stretching  forth  his  hand,  did  often  thinke 
To  reach  the  fruit  which  grew  upon  the  brinck*^ ; 


1  Dempl,  deemed,  ndjudged.  8  of^  i,y. 

2  Fee,  property.  <  Skrii/hies,  shrieks. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VII.  25 

But   both  the    fruit   from   hand,  and   flood   from 

mouth, 
Did  fly  abacke,  and  made  him  vainely  swincke  ^ ; 
The  whiles  he  sterv'd  with  hunger,  and  with  drouth 
He  daily  dyde,  yet  never  throughly  ^  dyen  couth.* 

59  The  Knight,  him  seeing  labour  so  in  vaine, 
Askt  who  he  was,  and  what  he  ment  thereby  ? 
Who,  groning  deepe,  thus  answerd  him  againe  : 
"  Most  cursed  of  all  creatures  under  skye, 

Lo  Tantalus,  I  here  tormented  lye  ! 
Of  whom  high  love  wont  whylome^  feasted  bee; 
Lo,  here  I  now  for  want  of  food  doe  dye  ! 
But,  if  tliat  thou  be  such  as  I  thee  see, 
Of  grace  I  pray  thee  give  to  eat  and  drinke  to  mee  I  " 

60  "  Nay,  nay,  thou  greedy  Tantalus,"  quoth  he, 
"  Abide  the  fortune  of  thy  present  fate  ; 
And,  unto  all  that  live  in  high  degree, 
Ensample  be  of  mind  intemperate, 

To  teach  them  how  to  use  their  present  state." 
Then  gan  the  cursed  wretch  alowd  to  cry. 
Accusing  highest  love  and  gods  ingrate ; 
And  eke  blaspheming  heaven  bitterly, 
As  authour  of  uniustice,  there  to  let  him  dye. 


1  Sioinche,  labor.  8  Cinith,  could. 

2  Throu(/hly,  thoroughly.  *  Whyhme,  formerly. 

LIX.  6.  —  Tantalus  was  admitted  to  the  table  of  Jupiter,  and 
once  entertained  the  gods  with  a  banquet.  He  was  punished  for 
abusing  the  celesti.il  hospitality,  or,  according  to  anotlier  legend, 
for  his  insatiable  desires,  his  "  mind  intemperate."     C. 


26  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

61  He  lookt  a  litle  furtlier,  and  espyde 

Another  wretch,  whose  carcas  deepe  was  drent^ 
Within  the  river  which  the  same  did  liyde : 
But  both  his  handes,  most  filthy  feculent, 
Above  the  water  were  on  high  extent,^ 
And  faynd^  to  wash  themselves  incessantly, 
Yet  nothing  cleaner  were  for  such  intent, 
But  rather  fowler  seemed  to  the  eye ; 
80  lost  his  labour  vaine  and  ydle  industry. 

62  The  Knight,  him  calling,  asked  who  he  was  ? 
Who,  lifting  up  his  head,  him  answerd  thus : 
"  I  Pilate  am,  the  falsest  iudge,  alas  ! 

And  most  uniust ;  that,  by  unrighteous 
And  wicked  doome,  to  lewes  despiteous* 
Delivered  up  the  Lord  of  Life  to  dye. 
And  did  acquite  a  murdrer  felonous  ; 
The  whiles  my  handes  I  washt  in  purity,^ 
The   whiles   my  soule  was  soyld   with   fowle    iniq- 
uity." 

63  Infinite  moe®  tormented  in  like  paine 

He  there  beheld,  too  long  here  to  be  told  : 

Ne  Mammon  would  there  let  him  long  remayne, 

For  terrour  of  the  tortures  manifold, 

Li  which  the  damned  soules  he  did  behold. 

But  roughly  him  bespake  :  "  Thou  fearefull  foole, 

Why  takest  not  of  that  same  fruite  of  gold  ? 


1  Drent,  drenched.  *  Despitemts,  malicious. 

2  Kxtenf,  raised.  ^  Purily,  i.  e.  in  puvQ  water, 

3  Fdijnd,  i)retended,  seemed.  <'  J/ce,  more. 


BOOK    II.       CAXTO    VII.  27 

Ne  sittest  downe  on  that  same  silver  stoole, 
To  rest  thy  weary  person  in  the  shadow  coole  ?  " 

64  All  which  lie  did  to  do  him  deadly  fall 

In  frayle  intemperaunce  through  sinfull  bayt ; 
To  wliich  if  he  inclyned  had  at  all, 
That  dreadfull  feend,  which  did  behinde  him  wayt, 
Would  him  have  rent  in  thousand  peeces  stray t : 
But  he  was  wary  wise  in  all  his  way, 
And  well  perceived  his  deceiptfull  sleight, 
Ne  suffred  lust  ^  his  safety  to  betray : 
So  goodly  did  beguile  the  guyler  of  his  pray. 

65  And  now  he  has  so  long  remained  theare. 

That  vitall  powres  gan  wexe  both  weake  and  wan 
For  want  of  food  and  sleepe,  which  two  upbeare, 
Like  niightie  pillours,  this  frayle  life  of  man, 
That  none  without  the  same  enduren  can  : 
For  now  three  dayes  of  men  were  full  outwrought, 
Since  he  this  hardy  enterprize  began  : 
Forthy^  great  Mammon  fayrely  he  besought 
Into    tlie    world    to    guyde   him  backe,  as   he   him 
broujrht. 


o 


56  The  God,  though  loth,  yet  was  constraynd  t'  obay ; 
For  lenger  time  then  that,  no  living  wight 
Below  the  earth  might  suffred  be  to  stay  : 
So  backe  againe  him  brought  to  living  light. 
But  all  so  soone  as  his  enfeebled  spright 
Gan  sucke  this  vitall  ay  re  into  his  brest, 

1  Lusl,  desire  (of  gold).  2  Forthy.  therefore. 


28  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

As  overcome  with  too  exceeding  might, 
The  Ufe  did  flit  away  out  of"  her  nest, 
And  all  his  sences  were  with  deadly  fit  opprest.* 

*  In  the  swoon  of  Sir  Guyon,  it  has  been  conjectured  that 
Spenser  means  to  express  that  state  of  torpid  inaction  into  which 
tlie  best  faculties  of  the  mind  and  lieart  fall,  from  the  too  ea^ei 
and  exclusive  pursuit  of  wealth.    H. 


BOOK   11.      CANTO    VIII.  29 


CANTO    VIII. 

Sir  Guyon,  layd  in  swowne,  is  by 

Aerates  soniies  despoyld; 
Whom  Arthure  soone  hath  reskewed 

And  Paynim  bretliren  foyld. 

1  And  is  there  care  in  heaven  ?     And  is  there  love 
In  heavenly  spirits  to  these  creatures  bace, 
That  may  compassion  of  their  evilles  move  ? 
There  is  :  —  else  much  more  wretched  were  the  cace 
Of  men  then    beasts.     But  O  th'  exceeding  grace 
Of  Highest  God,  tliat  loves  his  creatures  so, 
And  all  his  workes  with  mercy  doth  embrace, 
That  blessed  Angels  he  sends  to  and  fro, 
To  serve  to  wicked  man,  to  serve  his  wicked  foe ! 

Q  How  oft  do  they  their  silver  bowers  leave 
To  come  to  succour  us  that  succour  want ! 
How  oft  do  they  with  golden  pineons  cleave 
The  flitting  ^  skyes,  like  flying  pursuivant. 
Against  fowle  feendes  to  ayd  us  militant ! 
Tliey  for  us  fight,  they  watch  and  dewly  ward, 
And  their  bright  squadrons  round  about  us  ])lant  ; 
And  all  for  love  and  nothing  for  reward  : 

O,  why  should  hevenly  God  to  men  have  such  regard  ! 

1  Flitting,  fleeting,  yielding. 


30  TUK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

3  During  tlie  while  that  Guyon  did  abide 

In  Mtuuons  house,  tlie  Pahiier,  whom  whyleai'e^ 
That  wanton  Mayd  of  passage  had  denide, 
By  further  search  had  passage  found  elsewhere ; 
And,  being  on  liis  way,  approched  neare 
Where  Guyon  lay  in  traunce  ;  when  suddeinly 
He  heard  a  voyce  that  called  lowd  and  cleare, 
"  Come  hether,  hether,  O  come  hastily ! " 
That  all  the  fields  resounded  with  the  ruefull  cry. 

4  The  Palmer  lent  his  eare  unto  the  noyce, 
To  weet  who  called  so  importunely  : 
Againe  he  heard  a  more  efForced  voyce, 
That  bad  him  come  in  haste.     He  by  and  by^ 
His  feeble  feet  directed  to  the  cry  ; 

Which  to  that  shady  delve  ^  him  brought  at  last, 

Where  Mammon  earst  did  sunne  his  threasury : 

There  the  good  Guyon  he  found  slumbring  fast 

In  senceles  dreame  ;    which  sight  at  first  him  sore 

ao'hast.* 


o 


5  Beside  his  head  there  satt  a  faire  young  man, 
Of  wondrous  beauty  and  of  freshest  yeares, 
Whose  tender  bud  to  blossome  new  began, 
And  fiorish  faire  above  his  equall  peares : 
His  snowy  fj-o)it,  curled  with  golden  heares, 

1  Whyleare,  a  little  while  before.  8  Delve,  dell. 

2  By  and  by,  immediately.  *  Ayhnst,  terrified. 


III.  3.  —  That  wanton  Mayd,  &c.]    Phaedria.     See  Canto  VI. 
Stanza  19.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CAXTO  VIII.  31 

Like  Phoebus  face  adornd  with  sunny  rayes, 
Divinely  shone  ;  and  two  sharpe  winged  sheares, 
Decked  with  diverse  phimes,  like  painted  iayes, 
Were  fixed  at  his  backe  to  cut  his  ayery  wayes. 

c  Like  as  Cupido  on  Idsean  hill, 
When  having  laid  his  cruell  bow  away 
And  mortall  arrowes,  wherewith  he  doth  fill 
The  world  with  niurdrous  spoiles  and  bloody  pray, 
With  his  faire  mother  he  him  dights  ^  to  play, 
And  with  his  goodly  sisters,  Gi-aces  three ; 
The  goddesse,  pleased  with  his  wanton  play. 
Suffers  herselfe  through  sleepe  beguild  to  bee, 

The  whiles  the  other  ladies  mind  theyr  mery  glee. 

7  Whom  when  the  Palmer  saw,  abasht  he  was 
Through  fear  and  wonder,  that  he  nought  could  say, 
Till  him  the  childe  bespoke  :  "  Long  lackt,  alas  ! 
Hath  bene  thy  faithfuU  aide  in  hard  assay,^ 
Whiles  deadly  fitt  thy  pupill  doth  dismay. 
Behold  this  heavy  sight,  thou  reverend  Sire  ! 
But  dread  of  death  and  dolor  ^  doe  away ; 

For  life  ere  long  shall  to  her  home  retire, 
And  he,   that  breatlilesse  seems,  shal   corage   bold 
respire. 

8  "  The  charge,  which  God  doth  unto  me  arrett,* 
Of  his  deare  safety,  I  to  thee  commend  ; 

Yet  will  I  not  forgoe,  ne  yet  forgett 
The  care  thereof  myselfe  unto  the  end, 

1  Dlyhls,  prepares.  8  Dolor,  grief. 

2  A8$ay,  trial.  *  Arrtlt,  appoint. 


32  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  evermore  him  succour,  and  defend 
Against  his  foe  and  mine.     Watcli  thou,  I  pray ; 
For  evill  is  at  hand  him  to  offend." 
So  having  said,  eftsoones  he  gan  display 
His  painted  nimble  wings,  and  vanisht  quite  away. 

9  The  Palmer  seeing  his  lefte  empty  place, 
And  his  slow  eies  beguiled  of  their  sight, 
Woxe  sore  affraid,  and  standing  still  a  space 
Gaz'd  after  him,  as  fowle^  escapt  by  fliglit: 
At  last,  him,  turning  to  his  charge  behight,^ 
"With  trembling  hand  his  troubled  pulse  gan  try ; 
Where  finding  life  not  yet  dislodged  quight. 
He  much  reioyst,  and  courd*  it  tenderly, 
As  chicken  newly  hatcht,  from  dreaded  destiny. 

10  At  last  he  spide  where  towards  him  did  pace 
Two  Paynim  knights  al  armd  as  bright  as  skie. 
And  them  beside  an  aged  sire  did  trace,^ 
And  far  before  a  light-foote  page  did  flie 
That  breathed  strife  and  troublous  enmitie. 
Those  were  the  two  sonnes  of  Aerates  old, 
Who,  meeting  earst  with  Archimago  she 
Foreby  that  Idle  Strond,  of  him  were  told 

That  he,  which   earst  them  combatted,  was  Guyon 
bold. 


1  Fowle,  bird.  8  Cowd,  covered. 

2  Behiyht,  intrusted.  *  Trace,  walk. 

X.  3.  —  An  aged  Sh'e.]     Archimago. 

X.  4.  —  A  lif/IU-foot  Page.]     Atin. 

X.  7.  —  Who,  meeting  earst.]     See  Canto  VI.  Stanza  47 


300K    II.       CANTO    VIII.  33 

11  Which  to  avenge  on  him  they  dearly  vowd, 
Where  ever  that  on  ground  they  mote  him  find  : 
False  Archimage  provokte  their  corage  prowd, 
And  stryful  Atin  in  their  stubborne  mind 
Coles  of  contention  and  whot  ^  vengeaunce  tind.^ 
Now  bene  they  come  whereas  the  Palmer  sate, 
Keeping  that  slombred  corse  to  him  assind  : 
Well  knew  they  both  his  person,  sith  of  late 

With  him  in  bloody  armes  they  rashly  did  debate. 

12  Whom  when  Pyrochles  saw,  inflam'd  with  rage 
That  Sire  he  fowl  bespake  :  "  Thou  dotard  vile, 
That  with  thy  brutenesse  shendst  ^  thy  comely  age, 
Abandon  soone,  I  read,*  the  caytive  spoile 

Of  that  same  outcast  carcas,  that  erewhile 
Made  itselfe  famous  through  false  trechery. 
And  crownd  his  coward  crest  with  knightly  stile ; 
Loe  where  he  now  inglorious  doth  lye, 
To  proove  he  lived  il,  that  did  thus  fowly  dye." 

13  To  whom  the  Palmer  fearlesse  answered 

"  Certes,  Sir  Knight,  ye  bene  too  much  to  blame, 
Thus  for  to  blott  the  honor  of  the  dead, 
And  with  fowle  cowardize  his  carcas  shame 
Whose  living  handes  immortalizd  his  name. 
Vile  is  the  vengeaunce  on  the  ashes  cold ; 
And  envy  base  to  barke  at  sleeping  fame : 
Was  never  wight  that  treason  of  him  told  : 
Yourself  his  prowesse  pi-ov'd,  and  found  him  fiers  and 
bold." 

1  Whot,  hot.  8  Shendst,  disgraccst. 

2  Tind,  kindled.  *  Bead,  advise. 
vol,.  II.                            3 


34  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

14  Then  sayd  Cjonochles  :  "  Palmer,  thou  doest  dote, 
Ne  canst  of  prowesse  ne  of  knighthood  deeme, 
Save  as  thou  seest  or  hearst :  but  well  I  wote, 
That  of  his  puissaunce  tryall  made  extreeme : 
Yet  gold  al  is  not  that  doth  golden  seeme ; 

Ne  all  good  knights  that  shake  well  speare  and 

shield : 
The  worth  of  all  men  by  their  end  esteeme  ; 
And  then  dew  praise  or  dew  reproch  tlieni  yield: 
Bad  therefore  I  him  deeme  that  thus  lies  dead  on 

field." 

15  "  Good  or  bad,"  gan  his  brother  fiers  reply, 

"  What  doe  I  recke,  sith  that  he  dide  entire^? 
Or  what  doth  his  bad  death  now  satisfy 
The  greedy  hunger  of  revenging  yre, 
Sith  wrathfull  hand  wrought  not  her  owne  desire  r 
Yet,  since  no  way  is  lefte  to  wreake  my  spight, 
I  will  him  reave '  of  armes,  the  victors  hire, 
And  of  that  shield,  more  worthy  of  good  knight  ; 
For  why  should  a  dead  dog  be  deckt  in  armour  bright?" 

16  "  Fayr  Sir,"  said  then  the  Palmer  suppliaunt, 

"  For  knighthoods  love  doe  not  so  fowle  a  deed, 

Ne  blame  ^  your  honor  with  so  shamefull  vaunt 

Of  vile  revenge.     To  spoile  the  dead  of  weed* 

Is  sacrilege,  and  doth  all  sinnes  exceed : 

But  leave  these  relicks  of  his  living  might 

To  decke  his  herce,  and  trap  his  tomblacke  steed." 


*  Entire,  i.  e.  unwounded.         8  Blame,  bring  reproach  upoa 
^  Reave,  strip.  <  Weed,  clothing. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VIII.  35 

"  "Wliat  herce  or  steed,"  said  he,  "  should  he  liave 
dight, 
But  be  entombed  in  the  raven  or  the  kight  ?  " 

n  With  that,  rude  hand  upon  his  shiekl  he  h\id. 
And  th'  other  brother  gun  his  hehiie  unhice  ; 
Botli  fiercely  bent  to  have  him  disaraid  ; 
Till  that  they  spyde  where  towards  them  did  pacfc 
An  armed  knight,  of  bold  and  bounteous  grace, 
Wliose  squire  bore  after  him  an  hebcn^  launce 
And  coverd  shield.     "Well  kend  him  so  far  space 
Th'  Enehaunter  by  his  amies  and  amenaunce,^ 

When  under  him  he  saw  his  Lybian  steed  to  praunce  j: 

18  And  to  those  brethren  sayd :  "  Rise,  rise  bylive/ 
And  unto  batteil  doe  yourselves  addresse  ; 

For  yonder  comes  the  prowesf*  knight  alive. 
Prince  Arthur,  flowre  of  grace  and  nobilesse. 
That  hath  to  Paynim  kniglits  wrought  gret  distresse, 
And  thousand  Sar'zins  fowly  donne  to  dye." 
That  word  so  deepe  did  in  their  liarts  impresse, 
That  both  eftsoones  upstarted  furiously. 
And  gan  themselves  prepare  to  batteill  greedily. 

19  But  tiers  Pyroehles,  lacking  liis  owne  sword. 
The  want  thei'eof  now  greatly  gan  to  plaine. 


1  Helen,  ebony.  8  Bylive,  quickly. 

2  Amenaunce,  carnage.  *  Prowest,  bravest. 


XVII.    7.  —  Ami    coverd  shield.]      See    Book    I.   Canto   VII. 
Stanza  33. 


36  THE    FAERIE    QUEEXE. 

And  Arcliimage  besouglit,  him  that  afford 
Which  he  had  bi'ought  for  Braggadochio  vaine. 
"  So  would  I,"  said  th'  Enchaunter,  "ghid  and  faine 
Beteeme  ^  to  you  this  sword,  you  to  defend, 
Or  ought  that  els  your  honor  might  maintaine  ; 
But  that  this  weapons  powre  I  well  have  kend^ 
To  be  contrary  to  the  worke  which  ye  intend  : 

w  "  For  that  same  knights  owne  sword  this  is,  of  yore 
Which  Merlin  made  by  his  almightie  art 
For  that  his  noursling,  when  he  knighthood  swore, 
Therewith  to  doen  his  foes  eternall  smart. 
The  metall  first  he  mixt  with  mednswart, 
That  no  enchauntment  from  his  dint  might  save ; 
Then  it  in  flames  of  Aetna  wrought  apart, 
And  seven  times  dipped  in  the  bitter  Avave 

Of  hellish  Styx,  which  hidden  vertue  to  it  gave. 

n  ''  The  vertue  is,  that  nether  Steele  nor  stone 

The  stroke  thereof  from  entraunce  may  defend  ; 

Ne  ever  may  be  used  by  his  fone^ ; 

Ne  forst  his  rightful  owner  to  offend  ; 

Ne  ever  will  it  breake,  ne  ever  bend  ; 

Wherefore  Morddure^  it  rightfully  is  hight. 

In  vaine  therefore,  Pyrochles,  should  I  lend 

The  same  to  thee,  against  his  lord  to  fight; 
For  sure  yt  would  deceive  thy  labor  and  thy  might." 

1  Beteeme,  grant.  8  Po7ie,  foes. 

2  Kend,  learned.  •*  Mvrdtlure,  Hard-biter. 

KX.  5.  —  MeJ(ewart.]     ileadow-wort,  or  meadow-sweet.     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VIII.  37 

2Q  "  Foolish  old  man,"  said  then  the  Pagan  wroth, 
"  That  weenest  words  or  charms  may  force  with- 

stond : 
Soone  slialt  thou  see,  and  then  beleeve  for  troth,^ 
That  I  can  carve  with  this  inchaunted  brond 
His   lords    owne   flesh."      Therewith   out   of  his 

hond 
That  vertuous  Steele  he  rudely  snatcht  away ; 
And  Guyons  shield  about  his  wi'est  he  bond  : 
So  ready  dight,  fierce  battaile  to  assay. 

And  match  his  brother  proud  in  battailous  aray. 

23  By  this,  that  straunger  knight  in  presence  came, 
And  goodly  salued  ^  them ;  who  nought  againe 
Him  answered,  as  courtesie  became  ; 

But  with  Sterne  lookes,  and  stomachous  '  disdaine, 
Gave  si^nes  of  a:rudo;e  and  discontentment  vaine  : 
Then,  turning  to  the  Palmer,  he  gan  spy 
Where  at  his  feet,  with  sorrowful!  demayne* 
And  deadly  hew,  an  armed  corse  did  lye. 
In  whose  dead  face  he  redd  great  magnanimity. 

24  Sayd  he  then  to  the  Palmer  :  "  Reverend  Syre, 
What  great  misfortune  hath  betidd  this  knight  ? 
Or  did  his  life  her  fatall  date  expyre, 

Or  did  he  fall  by  treason,  or  by  figlit  ? 
However,  sure  I  rew  his  pitteous  plight." 
"  Not  one,  nor  other,"  sayd  the  Palmer  grave, 
"  Hath  him  befalne  ;  but  cloudes  of  deadly  night 


1  Troth,  trntli.  8  Stoviachoiis,  haughty. 

2  Salued,  saluted.  *  Demayne,  demeanor,  appearance. 


38  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Awhile  his  heavy  eylids  cover'd  have, 
And  all  his  sences  drowned  in  deep  sencelesse  wave . 

25  "  Which  those  his  cruell  foes,  that  stand  hereby, 
Making  advauntage,  to  revenge  their  spight, 
Would  him  disarme  and  treaten  shamefully ; 

U nworthie  usa<re  of  redoubted  knio;ht ! 
But  you,  faire  Sir,  whose  honourable  sight 
Doth  promise  hope  of  helpe  and  timely  grace, 
Mote  I  beseech  to  succour  his  sad  plight, 
And  by  your  powre  protect  his  feeble  cace  ? 
First  prayse  of  knighthood  is,  fowle  outrage  to  de- 
face.i " 

26  "  Pahner,"  said  he,  "  no  knight  so  rude,  I  weene, 
As  to  doen  outrage  to  a  sleeping  ghost  ^  • 

Ne  was  there  ever  noble  corage^  scene. 
That  in  advauntage  would  his  puissaunce  host 
Honour  is  least,  where  oddes  appeareth  most. 
May  bee,  that  better  reason  will  aswage 
The  rash  revengers  heat.     Words,  well  despost, 
Have  secrete  powre  t'  appease  inflamed  rage : 
If  not,  leave  unto  me  thy  knights  last  patronage.*" 

21  Tho,  turning  to  those  brethren,  thus  bespoke  : 
"  Ye  warlike  payre,  whose  valorous  great  might, 
It  seemes,  iust  wi'onges  to  vengeaunce  doe  provoke, 
To  wreake  your  wrath  on  this  dead-seeming  knight, 
Mote  ought  allay  the  storme  of  your  despight, 


1  Deface,  defeat,  preveat.  8  Corage,  heart. 

2  Ghost,  spirit.  *  Patronage,  defence. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VIII.  39 

And  settle  patience  in  so  furious  heat  ? 
Not  to  debate  the  chalenge  ^  of  your  right, 
But  for  his  carkas  pardon  I  entreat, 
iVhom  fortune  hath  ah-eady  laid  in  lowest  seat." 

8  To  whom  Cyniochles  said  :  "  For  what  art  thou, 
That  raak'st  thyselfe  his  dayes-man,^  to  prolong 
The   vengeaunce   prest^?  Or  who   shall  let*  me 

now 
On  this  vile  body  from  to  wreak  my  wrong, 
And  make  his  carkas  as  the  outcast  dong  ? 
Why  should  not  that  dead  carrion  satisfye 
The  guilt,  which,  if  he  lived  had  thus  long. 
His  life  for  dew  revenge  should  deare  abye  *  ? 

The  trespas  still  doth  live,  albee  ^  the  person  dye." 

(9  "  Indeed,"  then  said  the  Prince,  "  the  evill  donne 
Dyes  not,  when  breath  the  body  first  doth  leave  ; 
But  from  the  grandsyre  to  the  nephewes'  sonne 
And  all  his  seede  the  curse  doth  often  cleave, 
Till  vengeaunce  utterly  the  guilt  bereave  : 
Sostreightly  *  God  doth  iudge.     But  gentle  knight, 
That  doth  against  the  dead  his  hand  upreare,* 
His  honour  staines  with  rancour  and  despight. 

And  great  disparagment  makes  to  his  former  might." 


1  Chrilenfje,  claim,  title.  ^  -Abye,  abide. 

2  Dayes-man,  umpire.  8  Albee,  although. 

3  Prest,  ready  at  hand.  ">  Nephetves,  grandson's. 

4  Let,  hinder.  8  Streightly,  strictly. 


*  Qu.  U2}heavef 


40  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

30  Pyrocliles  gan  reply  the  second  tyrae, 

And  to  him  said :  "  Now,  felon,  sure  I  read,^ 
How  that  thou  art  partaker  of  his  cryme  : 
Therefore  by  Termagaunt  thou  shalt  be  dead." 
With  that,  his  liand,  more  sad  '^  then  lomp  of  lead, 
Uplifting  high,  he  weened  with  Morddure, 
His   owne  good  sword   Morddure,  to  cleave  his 

head. 
The  faithfull  Steele  such  treason  no'uld  ^  endure, 
But,  swarving  fi'om  the  marke,  his  lordes  life  did  as- 
sure. 

31  Yet  was  the  force  so  furious  and  so  fell. 
That  horse  and  man  it  made  to  reele  asyde : 
Nath'lesse  the  Prince  would  not  forsake  his  sell,* 
(For  well  of  yore  he  learned  had  to  ryde,) 

But  full  of  anger  fiersly  to  him  cryde : 
"  False  traitour  miscreaunt,  thou  broken  hast 
The  law  of  armes,  to  strike  foe  undefide : 
But  thou  thy  treasons  fruit,  I  hope,  shalt  taste 
Right  sowre,  and  feele  the  law,  the  which  thou  hast 
defast.5  " 

32  With  that  his  balefull  speare  he  fiercely  bent 
Against  the  Pagans  brest,  and  therewith  thought 
His  cursed  life  out  of  her  lodjr  have  rent : 


o 


1  Read,  perceive.  ■*  Sell,  saddle. 

2  Snd,  lieiu'y.  6  Defast,  i.  e.  broken. 
8  No'uld,  would  not. 

XXX.    4.  —  By   Tei-magaunt,  &c.]     Termngnunt  is  the  name 
given  in  old  romances  to  a  supposed  god  of  tho  Saracens.  H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VIII.  41 

But,  cm  the  point  arrived  where  it  ought, 

That   seven-fold   shield,    which   he   from    Guyon 

brought, 
He  cast  between  to  ward  the  bitter  stownd  ^ : 
Through    all  those  foldes  the  steelehead  passage 

wrought, 
And  through  his  shoulder  perst;  wherwith  to  ground 
He  groveling  fell,  all  gored  in  his  gushing  wound. 

33  Which  when  his  brother  saw,  fraught  with  great 
griefe 
And  wrath,  he  to  him  leaped  furiously. 
And  fowly  saide :  "  By  Mahoune,  cursed  thiefe, 
That  direfuU  stroke  thou  dearely  shalt  aby." 
Then,  hurling  up  his  harmefull  blade  on  hy, 
Smote  him  so  hugely  on  his  haughtie  crest. 
That  from  his  saddle  forced  him  to  fly : 
Els  mote  it  needes  downe  to  his  manly  brest 

Have  cleft  his  head  in  twaine,  and  hfe  thence  dis- 
possest. 

»4  Now  was  the  Prince  in  daungerous  distresse, 
Wantino;  his  sword  when  he  on  foot  should  fight : 
His  single  ^  speare  could  doe  him  small  redresse 
Against  two  foes  of  so  exceeding  might, 
The  least  of  which  was  match  for  any  knight. 
And  now  the  other,  whom  he  earst  did  daunt. 
Had  reard  himselfe  againe  to  cruel  fight 
Three  times  more  furious  and  more  puissaunt, 

Unmindful!  of  his  wound,  of  liis  fate  ignoraunt. 

1  Stoumd.  hour  (of ).  2  Single,  alone. 


42  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

35  So  botli  attonce  him  charge  on  either  syde 
With  hideous  strokes  and  importable^  powre, 
That  forced  him  his  gi'ound  to  traverse  wyde, 
And  wisely  watch  to  ward  that  deadly  stowre  ^ 
For  in  his  shield,  as  thicke  as  stonnie  showre, 
Tlieir  strokes  did  raine  ;  yet  did  he  never  quaile, 
Ne  backward  shrinke ;  but  as  a  stedfast  towre, 
Whom  foe  with  double  battry  doth  assaile, 

The. 11  on  her  bulvvarke  beares,  and  bids  them  nought 
availe,  — 

3G  So  stoutly  he  withstood  their  strong  assay  ; 
Till  that  at  last,  when  he  advantage  spyde, 
His  poynant  ^  speare  he  thrust  with  puissant  sway 
At  proud  Cymochles,  whiles  his  shield  was  wyde,^ 
That    through   his   thigh    the   mortall    Steele    did 

gryile  ^  : 
He,  swarving  with  the  force,  within  his  flesh 
Did  breake  the  launce,  and  let  the  head  abyde : 
Out  of  tlie  wound  the  red  blood  flowed  fresh, 

That  undei-neath  his  feet  soone  made  a  purple  plesh.* 

37  Horribly  then  he  gan  to  rage  and  rayle, 

Cursing  his  gods,  and  himselfe  damning  deepe  : 
Als''  when  his  brotlier  saw  the  red  blood  rayle  ^ 
Adovvne  so  fast,  and  all  his  armour  steepe, 
For  very  felnesse®  lowd  he  gan  to  weepe, 

1  fmpnrtahle,  not  to  be  borne.  6  Plesh,  plash,  pool. 

2  Sloiore,  turbulent  iissault.  ''  Als,  also. 

8  Poiinanf,  piercing.  8  Enyh,  flow. 

*  Wi/ile,  tiinicil  away.  9  Felnesse,  fury. 

O  Gryde,  pierce. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VIII.  43 

And  said :  "  Caytive,  cursse  on  thy  cruell  hond, 
That  twise  hath  spedd^ ;  yet  shall  it  not  thee  keepe 
From  the  third  brunt  of  this  my  fatall  brond : 
Lo,  where   the   dreadful!    Death  behynd  thy  backe 
doth  stond  ! " 

38  With  that  he  strooke,  and  th'  other  strooke  withall, 
That  nothing  seemd  mote  beare  so  monstrous  might: 
The  one  upon  his  covered  shield  did  fall, 

And  glauncing  downe  would  not  his  owner  byte : 
But  th'  other  did  upon  his  troncheon  ^  smyte  ; 
Which  hewing  quite  asunder,  further  way 
It  made,  and  on  his  hacqueton  did  lyte, 
The  which  dividing  with  importune  sway, 
It  seizd  ^  in  his  right  side,  and  there  the  dint  did  stay. 

39  Wyde  was  the  wound,  and  a  large  lukewarme  flood, 
Red  as  the  rose,  thence  gushed  grievously  ; 

That  when  the  Paynyra  spyde  the  streaming  blood, 
Gave  him  great  hart  and  hope  of  victory. 
On  th'  other  side,  in  huge  perplexity 
The  Prince  now  stood,  having  his  weapon  broke ; 
Nought  could  he  hurt,  but  still  at  warde  did  ly  : 
Yet  with  his  troncheon  he  so  rudely  stroke 
Cymochles  twise,  that  twise  him  forst  his  foot  revoke. 


1  Spedd,  succeeded.  8  Seizd,  fixed. 

2  Troncheon,  the  staff  of  the  spear. 


XXX Vin.  7.  —  Bis  kacqneion.]  The  hacqueton  was  a  military 
garment,  worn  sometimes  alone,  sometimes  under  the  hauberk.  It 
■vas  generally  made  of  buckram  and  stuffed  with  cotton.     C. 


44  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

40  Whom  when  the  Pahiier  saw  in  such  distresse, 
Sir  Giiyons  sword  he  lightly  to  him  raiight,^ 
And  said :    "  Fayre  sonne,  great   God  thy  right 

hand  blesse, 
To  use  that  sword  so  well  as  he  it  ought  ^ !  " 
Glad   was    the    Knight,  and    with  fresh    courage 

fraught, 
Whenas  againe  he  armed  felt  his  hond : 
Then  like  a  lyon,  which  hath  long  time  saught 
His  robbed  whelj)es,  and  al  the  last  them  fond 
Emongst  the  shepeheard  swaynes,  then  wexeth  wood 

and  yond,^ 

ti  So  fierce  he  laid  about  him,  and  dealt  blowes 
On  either  side,  that  neither  mayle  could  hold, 
Ne  shield  defend  the  thunder  of  his  throwes: 
Now  to  Pyrochles  many  strokes  he  told  ; 
Eft  *  to  Cymochles  twise  so  many  fold ; 
Then,  backe  againe  turning  his  busie  hond, 
Them  both  atonce  compeld  with  courage  bold 
To  yield  wide  way  to  his  hart-thrilling^  brond  ; 

And  though  they  both  stood  stiffe,  yet  could  not  both 
withstond. 

12  As  salvage  bull,  whom  two  fierce  mastives  bayt, 
When  rancour  doth  with  rage  him  once  engore,^ 
Forgets  with  wary  warde  them  to  awayt, 
But  with  his  dreadful!  homes  them  drives  afore, 

1  Rnuffhf,  readied.  s  Unrt-thnlUng,  heart-pierciiig. 

2  He  it  uiifjlU,  lie  that  owned  it.     6  Engore,  pierce,  prick. 

3  \V(io(l  (iiiil  1/(111(1,  mad  and  furious. 

4  J'J'l,  afterwards. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    YHI.  45 

Or  flings  aloft,  or  treades  downe  in  the  flore, 
Breathing  out  wrath,  and  bellowing  disdaine, 
That  all  the  forest  quakes  to  heare  him  rore  : 
So  rag'd  Prince  Arthur  twixt  his  foemen  twaine, 
That  neither  could  his  mightie  puissaunce  sustaine. 

43  But  ever  at  Pyrochles  when  he  smitt, 
(Who  Guyons  shield  cast  ever  him  before. 
Whereon  the  Faery  Queenes  pourtract  was  writt,) 
His  hand  relented  and  the  stroke  forbore. 
And  his  deare  hart  the  picture  gan  adore ; 
Which  oft  the  Paynim  sav'd  from  deadly  stowre  ^ : 
But  him  henceforth  the  same  can  save  no  more ; 
For  now  arrived  is  his  fatall  howre. 

That  no'te  ^  avoyded  be  by  earthly  skill  or  powre. 

14  For  when  Cymochles  saw  the  fowle  reproch, 
Which  them  appeached^ ;  prickt  with  guiltie  shame 
And  inward  griefe,  he  fiercely  gan  approch, 
Resolv'd  to  put  away  that  loathly  blame, 
Or  dye  with  honour  and  desert  of  fame  ; 
And  on  the  haubergh^  stroke  the  Prince  so  sore, 
That  quite  disparted  all  the  linked  frame. 
And  pierced  to  the  skin,  but  bit  no  more  ; 

Yet  made  him  twise  to  reele,  that  never  moov'd  afore. 

vo  Whereat  renfierst*^  with  wrath  and  sharp  regret, 
He  stroke  so  hugely  with  his  borrowd  blade. 


1  Siotore,  assault.  *  Tlaubergh,  coat  of  mail. 

2  No'te,  might  not.  ^  Jieiifierst,  reeiiforced. 
s  Apjjeadted,  impeached. 


46  THE    FAEPaE    QUEENE. 

That  it  empierst  the  Pagans  burganet^; 

And,  cleaving  the  hard  Steele,  did  deepe  invade 

Into  his  head,  and  cruell  passage  made 

Quite  through  his  brayne  :  He,  tombling  downe  on 

ground, 
Breathd  out  his  ghost,  which,  to  th'  infernall  shade 
Fast  flying,  there  eternall  torment  found 
For  all  the  sinnes  wherewith  his  lewd  life  did  abound. 

46  Which  when  his  german^  saw,  the  stony  feare 
Ran  to  his  hart,  and  all  his  sence  dismayd ; 
Ne  thenceforth  life  ne  corage  did  appeare : 
But,  as  a  man  whom  hellish  feendes  have  frayd,* 
Long  trembling  still  he  stoode  ;  at  last  thus  sayd : 
"  Traytour,    what    hast   thou    doen !     How    ever 

may 
Thy  cursed  hand  so  cruelly  have  swayd 
Against  that  knight !     Harrow  *  and  well  away ! 

After  so  wicked  deede  why  liv'st  thou  lenger^  day  !" 

n  With  that  all  desperate,  as  loathing  light. 
And  with  revenge  desyring  soone  to  dye. 
Assembling  all  his  force  and  utmost  might. 
With  his  owne  ^  swerd  he  fierce  at  him  did  flye, 
And  strooke,  and  foynd,'  and  lasht  outrageously, 
Withouten  reason  or  regard.     Well  knew 
The  Prince,  with  pacience  and  sufferaunce  sly, 


1  Burganei,  helmet.  ^  Lenr/er,  longer. 

2  German,  brother.  6  Owne,  i.  e.  Arthur's 
8  Fruyd,  tcrriiied.  ■?  Foynd,  pushed. 

*  Harrow,  alas. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    VIII.  47 

So  hasty  heat  soone  cooled  to  subdew  : 
Tho,  when    this  breathlesse  woxe,  that   batteil  gan 
renew. 

43  As  when  a  windy  tempest  bloweth  hye, 

That  nothing  may  withstand  his  stormy  stowre,^ 
The  clowdes,  as  thinges  aifrayd,  before  him  flye ; 
But,  all  so  soone  as  his  outrageous  powre 
Is  layd,  they  fiercely  then  begin  to  showre  ; 
And,  as  in  scorne  of  his  spent  stormy  spight. 
Now  all  attonce  their  malice  forth  do  poure : 
So  did  Prince  Arthur  beare  himselfe  in  fight, 

And  sufFred  i-ash  Pyrochles  waste  his  ydle  might. 

49  At  last  whenas  the  Sarazin  perceiv'd 

How  that  straunge  '^  sword  refusd  to  serve  his  neede, 
But,  when  he  stroke  most  strong,  the  dint  deceiv'd, 
He  flong  it  from  him  ;  and,  devoyd  of  dreed, 
Upon  him  lightly  leaping  without  heed, 
Twixt  his  two  mighty  armes  engrasped  fast. 
Thinking  to  overthrowe  and  downe  him  tred  : 
But  him  in  strength  and  skill  the  Prince  surpast, 

And  through  his  nimble  sleisrht  did  under  him  down 
cast. 

ao  Nought  booted  it  the  Paynim  then  to  strive  ; 
For  as  a  bittur^  in  the  eagles  clawe, 

1  Stowre,  violence.  *  Biitur,  bittern. 

2  Straun(/e,  not  belonging  to  him. 

XLVII.  9. —  Tho,  when,  &c.]     Then  when  this  Paynim  grew 
Dreathless,  that  Prince  i-ene\ved  the  buttle.    H. 


48  THE    FAEllIE    QUEENE. 

That  may  not  Iwpe  by  flight  to  scape  alive, 
Still  vvaytes  foi'  death  with  dread  and  trembling  aw  5 
So  he,  now  subiect  to  the  victours  law, 
Did  not  once  move,  nor  upward  cast  his  eye, 
For  vile  disdaine  and  rancour,  which  did  gnaw 
His  hart  in  twaine  with  sad  melancholy ; 
As  one  that  loathed  life,  and  yet  despysd  to  dye. 

61  But,  full  of  princely  bounty  and  great  mind, 
The  conquerour  nought  cared  him  to  slay ; 
But,  casting  wronges  and  all  revenge  behind. 
More  glory  thought  to  give  life  then  decay,^ 
And  sayd  :  "  Paynim,  this  is  thy  dismall  day  *^ ; 
Yet  if  thou  wilt  renounce  thy  miscreaunce,* 
And  my  trew  liegeman  yield  thyselfe  for  ay, 
Life  will  I  graunt  thee  for  thy  valiaunce, 

And  all   thy    wronges   will  wipe    out   of  my  sove- 
naunce.*  " 

52  "  Foole,"  sayd  the  Pagan,  "  I  thy  gift  defye ; 
But  use  thy  fortune,  as  it  doth  befall : 
And  say,  that  I  not  overcome  doe  dye. 
But  in  despight  of  life  for  death  doe  call." 
"Wroth  was  the  Prince,  and  sory  yet  withall, 
That  he  so  wilfully  refused  grace ; 
Yet,  sith  his  fate  so  cruelly  did  fall. 
His  shining  helmet  he  gan  soone  unla<  e, 

And  left  his  headlesse  body  bleeding  all  the  place. 

1  Then  decay,  than  death. 

2  Dismall  day,  doomsday.    (And  so,  Canto  VII.  26.) 
*  Miscreaunce,  false  faith. 

"•  Sovenaunce,  meniorv. 


UOOK    II.       CANTO    VIII.  49 

53  By  this,  Sir  Guyon  from  his  traunce  awakt. 
Life  having  maystered  her  sencelesse  foe  ; 
And  looking  up,  whenas  his  shield  he  lakt 
And  sword  saw  not,  he  wexed  wondrous  woe.'* 
But  when  the  Palmer,  whom  he  long  ygoe 
Had  lost,  he  by  him  spyde,  right  glad  he  grew. 
And  saide  :  "  Deare  Sir,  whom  wandring  to  and  fro 
I  long  have  lackt,  I  ioy  thy  face  to  vew  ! 

Fh-me  is  thy  faith,  whom  daunger  never  fro  me  drew. 

54  "  But  read  '^  what  wicked  hand  hath  robbed  mee 
Of  my   good  sv/ord  and  shield  ?  "     The  Palmer, 

glad 
With  so  fresh  hew  uprysing  him  to  see. 
Him  answered  :  "  Fayre  sonne,  be  no  whit  sad 
For  want  of  weapons  ;  they  shall  soone  be  had." 
So  gan  he  to  discourse  the  whole  debate,^ 
Which  that  straunge  Knight  for  him  sustained  had, 
And  those  two  Sarazins  confounded  late. 
Whose  carcases  on  ground  were  horribly  prostrate. 


55  Which  w^hen  he  heard,  and  saw  the  tokens  trew, 
His  hart  with  great  affection  was  embayd,* 
And  to  the  Prince,  bowing  with  reverence  dew. 
As  to  the  patrone  ^  of  his  life,  thus  sayd : 
"  My  Lord,  my  Liege,  by  whose  most  gratious  ayd 
I  live  this  day,  and  see  my  foes  subdewd, 
What  may  suffise  to  be  for  meede  repayd 

1  Woe,  sad.  *  Embuyd,  bathed. 

2  Read,  tell  me.  ^  Patrone,  protector. 
8  Debate,  contest. 

VOL.    II.  4 


50  TUK    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Of  SO  great  graces  as  ye  have  me  shewd, 
But  to  be  ever  bound  —  " 

56  To  whom  the  Infant^  thus  :  "  Fayre  Sir,  what  need 
Good  turnes  be  counted,  as  a  servile  bond, 
To  bind  their  dooers  to  receive  their  meed  ? 
Are  not  all  knightes  by  oath  bound  to  withstood 
Oppressours  powre  by  armes  and  puissant  hond  ? 
Suffise,  that  I  have  done  my  dew^  in  place." 
So  goodly  purpose^  they  together  fond^ 
Of  kindnesse  and  of  courteous  aggrace  ^  ; 

The  whiles  false  Archimage  and  Atin  fled  apace. 

1  /n/an<,yonth,or  knight.     (Compare  F.  Q.  VI.,  vxii.  15.) 

2  Deio,  duty.  4  jTond,  devised,  maintained. 
8  Purpose,  discourse.  6  Aygrace,  favor, 

LVI.  1. — Fayre  Sir,  what  need,  &c.]  This  remarli  of  Prince 
Arthur  expresses  the  sentiment  of  a  beautiful  maxim  of  Do  la 
Rochefoucauld,  that  the  too  eager  desire  to  return  a  favor  is,  in  it 
self,  a  species  ot  ingratitude.    H. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO   IX.  ol 


CANTO   IX. 


The  House  of  Temperance,  in  which 

Doth  sober  Ahxia,  dwell, 
Besiegd  of  muny  foes,  whom  straung- 

er  Knightes  to  flight  compell. 


1  Of  all  Gods  workes,  which  doe  this  worlde  adorne; 
There  is  no  one  more  faire  and  excellent 

Then  is  mans  body,  both  for  powre  and  forme, 
Whiles  it  is  kept  in  sober  government ; 
But  none  tlien  it  more  fowle  and  indecent, 
Distempred  through  misrule  and  passions  baco  ;. 
It  grovves  a  monster,  and  incontinent  ^ 
Doth  loose  his  dignity  and  native  grace  : 
Behold,  who  list,  both  one  and  other  in  this  place. 

2  After  the  Paynim  brethren  conquer'd  were. 
The  Briton  Prince  recov'ring  his  stolne  sword, 
And  Guyon  his  lost  shield,  they  both  yfere  ^ 
Forth  passed  on  their  way  in  fayre  accord, 

1  Incontinent,  immediately.  2  Yfere,  together. 


I.  9.  —  In  thisjilace.]     In  the  persons  of  Prince  Ai'thur  and  of 
the  two  brothers,  Cymochles  and  Pjrochles.    H. 


62  THE    FAERIE    QUfiENE. 


Till  him  the  Prince  with  gentle  court  did  bord^: 
"  Sir  Knight,  mote  I  of  you  this  court'sy  read,^ 
To  weet  why  on  your  shield,  so  goodly  scord, 
Beare  ye  the  picture  of  that  ladies  head  ? 
Full  lively^  is  the  serablaunt,  though  the  substanct! 
dead." 

3  "  Fayre  Sir,"  sayd  he,  "  if  in  that  picture  dead 
Such  life  ye  read,  and  vertue  in  vainc  shew ; 
What  mote  ye  weene,  if  the  trew  lively-head  * 
Of  that  most  glorious  visage  ye  did  vew ! 
But  yf  the  beauty  of  her  mind  ye  knew, 
That  is,  her  bounty,  and  imperiall  powre, 
Thousand  times  fairer  then  her  mortal  hew, 

O  how  great  wonder  would  your  thoughts  devoure, 
And  infinite  desire  into  your  spirite  poure  ! 

4  "  Shee  is  the  mighty  Queene  of  Faery, 
Whose  faire  retraitt^  I  in  my  shield  doe  beare : 
Shee  is  the  flowre  of  grace  and  chastity. 
Throughout  the  world  renowmed  far  and  neare, 
My  Liefe,^  my  Liege,  my  Soveraine,  my  Deare, 
Whose  glory  shineth  as  the  morning  starre. 
And  with  her  light  the  earth  enlumines  cleare ; 
Far  reach  her  mercies,  and  her  praises  fari-e. 

As  well  in  state  of  peace,  as  puissaunce  in  warre." 


1  Bord,  address. 

2  Read,  understand,  i.  e.  will  your  courtesy  explain  this. 
8  Lively,  lifelike. 

4  Lively-hend,  lifelikeness,  or  living  original. 

5  Retraitt,  portrait. 

*  Liefe,  deiir,  or  love. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    IX.  53 

3  "  Thrise  happy  man,"  said  then  the  Briton  Knight, 
•'  Whom  gracious  lott  and  thy  great  valiaunee 
Have  made  thee  soldier  of  that  princesse  bright. 
Which  with  her  bounty  and  glad  countenaunce 
Doth  blesse  her  servaunts,  and  them  liigh  advaunce ; 
How  may  straunge  knight  hope  ever  to  aspire, 
By  faithfull  service  and  meete  amenaunce,* 
Unto  such  blisse  ?     Sufficient  were  that  hire 

For  losse  of  thousand  lives,  to  die  at  her  desire." 

6  Said  Guyon,  "  Noble  Lord,  what  meed  so  great, 
Or  grace  of  earthly  prince  so  soveraine, 

But  by  your  wondrous  worth  and  warlike  feat 
Ye  well  may  hope,  and  easely  attaine  ? 
But  were  your  will  her  sold  to  entertaine,^ 
And  numbred  be  mongst  Knights  of  Maydenhed, 
Great  guerdon,  well  I  wote,  should  you  remaine. 
And  in  her  favor  high  bee  reckoned, 
As  Arthegall  and  Sophy  now  beene  honored." 

7  "  Certes,"  then  said  the  Prince,  "  I  God  avow," 
That  sith  I  armes  and  knighthood  first  did  plight. 
My  whole  desire  hath  beene,  and  yet  is  now. 

To  serve  that  Queene  with  al  my  powre  and  might. 
Seven  times  the  sunne  with  his  lamp-burning  light 


^  Amemunce,  deportment.  ^  Avoic,  vow  to. 

2  Sold  to  entertaine,  receive  her  pay. 


VI.  9.  —As  Arthegall  and  Sophy.l     Of  Arthegall  we  hear  here- 
after, bnt  not  of  Sophy.    H. 

VII.  b.  — Seven  times,  &c.]     In  Book  I.  Canto  IX.  Stanza  5, 
Arhur  says  he  has  ah-eady  been  nine  months  in  quest  of  the  Faerie 


54  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

Hath  walkte  about  the  world,  and  I  no  lesse, 

Sith  of  that  goddesse  I  have  sought  the  sight, 

Yet  no  where  can  her  find ;  such  happinesse 

Heven  doth  to  me  envy  and  fortune  favourlesse." 

8  "  Fortune,  the  foe  of  famous  chevisaunce,^ 
Seldome, '  said  Guyon,  "  yields  to  vertue  aide, 
But  in  her  way  throwes  raischiefe  and  mischaunce 
Whereby  her  course  is  stopt  and  passage  staid. 
But  you,  faire  Sir,  be  not  herewith  dismaid. 

But  constant  keepe  the  way  in  which  ye  stand ; 
Which  were  it  not  that  I  am  els  delaid 
With  hard  adventure,  which  I  have  in  hand, 
I  labour  would  to  guide  you  through  al  Fary  land." 

9  "  Gramercy,^  Sir,"  said  he  ;  "  but  mote  I  weete  • 
What  straunge  adventure  doe  ye  now  pursew  ? 
Perhaps  my  succour  or  advizement  meete 
Mote  stead  ^  you  much  your  purpose  to  subdew." 
Then  gan  Sir  Guyon  all  the  story  shew 

Of  false  Acrasia,  and  her  wicked  wiles  ; 
Which  to  avenge,  the  Palmer  him  forth  drew 


1  Chevisaunce,  enterprise.  ^  Stead,  help. 

2  Gi-amercy,  many  thanks. 

Queene.  He  now  says  that  he  has  sought  for  her  seven  years. 
In  the  thirty-eighth  stanza  of  this  canto  he  is  said  to  have  ram- 
bled three  j'cars.  Tliese  inconsistencies  are  removed  in  the  sec- 
ond edition,  wliich  reads  "  twelve  months  "  in  Stanza  38,  and  in 
this  place,  — 

"  Now  hath  the  sunne  with  his  lamp-burning  light 
Walkt  round  about  the  W(>rld,  and  I  no  lesse."  C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IX.  55 

From  Faery  court.     So  talked  they,  the  whiles 
They  wasted  had  much  way,  and  measurd  many  miles. 

10  And  now  faire  Phoebus  gan  decline  in  haste 
His  weary  wagon  to  the  westerne  vale, 
Whenas  they  spide  a  goodly  castle,  plaste 
Foreby  ^  a  river  in  a  pleasaunt  dale  ; 
Which  choosing  for  that  evenings  hospitale,^ 
They  thether  marcht :  but  when  they  came  in  sight, 
And  from  their  sweaty  coursers  did  avale,® 
They  found  the  gates  fast  barred  long  ere  night. 

And  every  loup  ^  fast  lockt,  as  fearing  foes  despight. 

u  Which  when  they  saw,  they  weened  fowle  reproch 
Was  to  them  doen,  their  entraunce  to  foi'stall ; 
Till  that  the  Squire  gan  nigher  to  approch, 
And  wind  his  home  under  the  castle  wall. 
That  with  the  noise  it  shooke  as  it  would  fall. 
Eftsoones  forth  looked  from  the  highest  spire 
The  vvatch,  and  lowd  unto  the  knights  did  call, 
To  weete  what  they  so  rudely  did  require : 

Who  gently  answered,  They  entraunce  did  desire. 

n  "  Fly,  fly,  good  Knights,"  said  he,  "  fly  fast  away, 
If  that  your  lives  ye  love,  as  meete  ye  should ; 
Fly  fast,  and  save  yourselves  from  neare  decay  ^: 
Here  may  ye  not  have  entraunce,  though  we  would 
We  would  and  would  againe,  if  that  we  could  ; 


1  Forehy,  near  to.  *  Loup,  loophole. 

2  Hospitnle,  inn.  5  Decay,  destruction. 
8  Avale,  alip;ht. 


56  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  thousand  enemies  about  us  rave, 
And  with  long  siege  us  in  this  castle  hould : 
Seven  yeares  this  wize  they  us  besieged  have, 
And  many  good  knights  slaine  that  have  us  sought 
to  save." 

13  Thus  as  he  spoke,  loe !  with  outragious  cry 

A  thousand  villeins  rownd  about  them  swarmd 
Out  of  the  rockes  and  caves  adioyning  nye  ; 
Vile  caitive  wretches,  ragged,  rude,  deformd, 
All  threatning  death,  all  in  straunge  manner  armd  ; 
Some  with  unweldy  clubs,  some  with  long  speares, 
Some  rusty  knifes,  some  staves  in  tier  warmd  : 
Sterne  was  their  looke  ;  like  wild  amazed  steares, 
Staring  with  hollow  eies,  and  stiife  upstanding  heares. 

14  Fiersly  at  first  those  knights  they  did  assayle, 
And  drove  them  to  recoile :  but,  when  againe 
They  gave  fresh  charge,  their  forces  gan  to  fayle 
Urdiable  their  encounter  to  sustaine  ; 

For  with  such  puissaunce  and  impetuous  mains 
Those  champions  broke  on  them,  that  forst  them  fly, 
Like  scattered  sheepe,  Avhenas  the  shepherds  swaine 
A  lyon  and  a  tigre  doth  espye 
Witli  greedy  pace  forth  rushing  from  the  forest  nye. 


XII.  8. —  Tliey  U3  besieged  have.]  It  will  hardly  be  necessary 
to  remind  the  render  tluit  this  aistle  is  the  huniaii  body;  that 
Alma  is  the  mind;  and  that  the  besiegers  are  the  unruly  pas- 
sions, &c.  Spenser  says  seven  years,  perhaps  in  allusion  to  the 
Eeven  ages  of  the  world,  or  else  to  the  various  stages  of  man's 
hfe.     Ui'TCN. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO    IX.  57 

'■"*  A  while  they  fled,  but  soone  retournd  againe 
With  greater  fury  then  before  was  fownd  ; 
And  evermore  their  cruell  capitaine 
Sought  with  his  raskall  routs  t'  enclose  them  rownd, 
And  overronne  to  tread  them  to  the  grownd : 
But  soone   the  knights  with   their  bright-burning 

blades 
Broke   their    rude    troupes,  and   orders   did  con- 

fow^nd, 
Hewing  and  slashing  at  their  idle  shades  ; 
For  though  they  bodies  seem,  yet  substaunce  from 

them  fades. 

16  As  w^hen  a  swarme  of  gnats  at  eventide 
Out  of  the  fennes  of  Allan  doe  arise, 

Their  murmuring  small  trompetts  sownden^  wide. 
Whiles  in  the  aire  their  clustring  army  flies, 
That  as  a  cloud  doth  seeme  to  dim  the  skies ; 
Ne  man  nor  beast  may  rest  or  take  repast 
For  their  sharpe  wounds  and  noyous  iniuries, 
Till  the  fierce  northerne  wind  with  blustring  blast 
Doth  blow  them  quite  away,  and  in  the  ocean  cast. 

17  Thus  when  they  had  that  troublous  rout  disperst, 
Unto  the  castle  gate  they  come  againe, 

And  entraunce  crav'd,  which  was  denied  erst. 
Now  when  report  of  that  their  perlous^  paine, 

1  Soumden.^  sound.  2  Perhus,  perilous. 

XVI.  2.  —  Fennes  of  Allnn.\     Probably  the  great  bog  of  Allen, 
ui  the  eastern  part  of  Ireland. 


58  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  conibrous  conflict  which  they  did  sustaine, 
Carae  to  the  Ladies  eare  which  there  did  dwell, 
Shee  forth  issewed  with  a  goodly  traine 
Of  squires  and  ladies  equi paged  well, 
And  entertained  them  right  fairely,  as  befell. 

18  Ahna  she  called  was  ;  a  virgin  bright, 
That  had  not  yet  felt  Cupides  wanton  rage  ; 
Yet  was  shee  wooed  of  many  a  gentle  knight, 
And  many  a  lord  of  noble  parentage, 

Tliat  3011  ght  with  her  to  lincke  in  marriage: 
For  shee  was  faire,  as  faire  mote  ever  bee, 
And  in  the  flowre  now  of  her  freshest  age  ; 
Yet  full  of  grace  and  goodly  modestee. 
That  even  heveii  reioyced  her  sweete  face  to  see. 

19  In  robe  of  lilly  white  she  was  arayd, 

That  from  her  shoulder  to  her  heele  downe  raught  ^; 
The  traine  whereof  loose  far  behind  her  strayd, 
Braunched"^     with    gold    and    perle    most    richly 

wrought, 
And  borne  of  two  faire  damsels  which  were  taught 
That  service  well :  her  yellow  golden  heare 
Was  trimly  woven  and  in  tresses  wrought, 
Ne  other  tire^  she  on  her  head  did  weare. 
But  crowned  with  a  garland  of  sweete  rosiere.* 


c 


JO  Goodly  shee  entertaind  those  noble  knights. 
And  brought  them  up  into  her  castle  hall ; 


i  Rauffht,  reached.  8  Tire,  hearl-dress. 

2  Brminchecl,  sprigged,  eiTibroidc>rcd.     *  Jiosiei-e,  rose-tree. 


BOOK.    II.       CAXTO    IX. 


59 


Where  gentle  court  and  gracious  delight 
Shee  to  them  made,  with  mildnesse  virginall, 
Shewing  herselfe  botli  wise  and  liberall. 
Then  when  they  rested  had  a  season  dew, 
They  her  besought  of  favour  speciall 
Of  that  faire  castle  to  affoord  them  vew  : 
Shee  gi-aunted  ;  and,  them  leading  forth,  the  same  did 
shew. 

21  First  she  them  led  up  to  the  castle  wall. 
That  was  so  hi^h  as  foe  might  not  it  clime, 
And  all  so  faire  and  fensible^  withall  ; 

Not  built  of  bricke,  ne  yet  of  stone  and  lime, 
But  of  thing  like  to  that  ^Egyptian  slime, 
Whereof  Kins;  Nine  whilome  built  Babell  towre : 
But  0  great  pitty  that  no  lenger  time 
So  goodly  workemanship  should  not  endure  ! 
Soone  it  must  turne  to  earth :  no  earthly  thing  is  sure. 

22  The  frame  thereof  seemd  partly  circulare, 
And  part  triangulare  ;  O  worke  divine  ! 
Those  two  the  first  and  last  proportions  are  ; 
The  one  imperfect,  mortall,  fceminine  ; 

1  Ftnsible,  capable  of  being  defended. 

XXI.  5. —  Possibly  Sjieuser  had  in  his  mind  the  account 
of  Diodorus,  according  to  which  the  shme  left  by  the  overflow  of 
the  Nile  generated  animiils  of  itself.     See  Book  I.  Canto  I.  21.     C. 

XXII.  —  This  stanza  describes  the  plan  and  proportions  of  Alma's 
castle,  the  human  body.     The  circular  part  is  the  head,  the  trian 
gular,  the  legs,  the  base  of  the  triangle  being  wanting.     The  quad 
rate  or  parallelogram  which  forms  the  base  of  both  is  the  trunk 
The  triangle  and  the  circle  are   called  "  the  first  and    last  pro 


60  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Th'  other  immortall,  perfect,  masculine  : 
And  twixt  them  both  a  quadrate  was  the  base, 
Proportioned  equally  by  seven  and  nine ; 
Nine  was  the  circle  sett  in  heavens  place : 
A.11  which  compacted  made  a  goodly  diapase. 

23  Therein  tAvo  gates  were  placed  seemly  well : 
The  one  before,  by  which  all  in  did  pas. 
Did  th'  other  far  in  workmanship  excell : 
For  not  of  wood,  nor  of  enduring  bras, 
But  of  more  worthy  substance  fram'd  it  was : 
Doubly  disparted,  it  did  locke  and  close, 
That,  when  it  locked,  none  might  thorough  pas, 
And,  when  it  opened,  no  man  might  it  close ; 

Still  open  to  their  friendes,  and  closed  to  their  foes. 


portions,"  because  they  include  respective!}'  the  least  and  the 
greatest  space  in  the  same  perimeter,  or  perhaps  simply  because 
they  are  the  extremities.  The  triangle  is  imperfect,  as  wanting  a 
base  and  denoting  the  animal  nature;  mortal,  because  it  is  alto- 
gether fleshly  and  contains  no  spiritual  part;  f'e\ninine,  because  it 
includes  the  generative  power,  of  which  the  female  is  the  type, 
Tiie  circle  is  immortal,  for  it  contains  the  imperishable  mind;  per- 
fect, not  only  as  complete  in  itself,  but  because  the  soul  is  made 
in  the  image  of  (Jod;  and  masculine,  because  it  is  the  seat  of  the 
spiritual  princljile  which  exercises  sway  over  the  body.  Tho 
breadth  of  tho  trunk  (including  the  arms)  is  to  the  length  from  the 
shoulders  to  the  thigh  nearly  as  seven  to  nine,  and  the  longer  side 
of  the  parallelogram  is  affirmed  to  be  equal  to  the  circumference 
of  the  head,—  "Nine  was  the  circle  sett  in  heavens  place"  (or  top- 
ping this  noble  structure).  All  parts  of  the  eiUficc  fitly  joined  to- 
gether made  "a  goodly  tliapase,"  or  concord.  The  mystical  in- 
terpretation of  this  stanza  by  Sir  Kenelm  Digby  and  Upton  is,  to 
Bay  the  least,  quife  umieccssary.  I  am  indol)ted  for  some  parts 
of  this  explanation  to  a  writer  in  the  London  .\tlienreum,  No. 
1085.     C. 


BOOK    II.       CAXTO    IX.  61 

J4  Of  liewen  stone  the  porch  was  fayrely  wrought, 
Stone  more  of  valevv,  and  more  smooth  and  fine, 
Then  iett  or  marble  far  from  Ireland  brought ; 
Over  the  which  was  cast  a  wandring  vine, 
Enchaced  with  a  wanton  yvie  twine  : 
And  over  it  a  fayre  portcullis  hong, 
Which  to  the  gate  directly  did  incline, 
"With  comely  compasse  and  compacture  strong, 

Nether  unseemly  short,  nor  yet  exceeding  long. 

25  Within  the  barbican  ^  a  Porter  sate. 

Day  and  night  duely  keeping  watch  and  ward  ; 
Nor  wight  nor  word  mote  passe  out  of  the  gate, 
But  in  good  order,  and  with  dew  regard  ; 
Utterers  of  secrets  he  from  thence  debard, 
Bablers  of  folly,  and  blazers  of  cryme  : 
His  larura-bell  might  lowd  and  wyde  be  hard 
When  cause  requyrd,  but  never  out  of  time  ; 
Early  and  late  it  rong,  at  evening  and  at  prime. 

26  And  rownd  about  the  porch  on  every  syde 
Twise  sixteene  Warders  satt,  all  armed  bright 
In  glistring  Steele,  and  strongly  fortifyde  : 
Tall  yeomen  seemed  they,  and  of  great  might, 
And  were  enraunged  ready  still  for  fight. 

By  them  as  Alma  passed  with  her  guestes, 

1  Barbican,  outwork. 

XXIV.  —  The  porch  is  the  upper  lip;  the  wandering  vine, 
the  moustache;  the  portcullis,  the  nose;  tlie  barbican,  the  cavity 
of  the  mouth,  the  porter  of  which  is  the  tongue,  while  the  twice 
siiteen  warders  are  the  teeth.     C. 


62  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

They  did  obeysaunce,  as  beseemed  right, 
And  then  againe  retourned  to  their  restes  : 
The  Porter  eke  to  her  did  lout*  with  humble  gestes,* 

27  Thence  she  them  brought  into  a  stately  hall. 
Wherein  were  many  tables  fayre  dispred. 
And  ready  dight  with  drapets^  festivall, 
Against  the  viaundes  should  be  ministred. 
At  th'  upper  end  there  sate,  yclad  in  red 
Downe  to  the  ground,  a  comely  personage, 
That  in  his  hand  a  white  rod  menaged ; 

He  steward  was,  hight  Diet ;  rype  of  age, 
And  in  demean ure  sober,  and  in  counsell  sage. 

28  And  through  the  hall  there  walked  to  and  fro 
A  iolly  yeoman,  marshall  of  the  same. 
Whose  name  was  Appetite  ;  he  did  bestow 
Both  guestes  and  meate,  whenever  in  they  came, 
And  knew  them  how  to  order  without  blame, 

As  him  the  steward  badd.     They  both  attone* 
Did  dewty  to  their  Lady,  as  became  ; 
Who,  passing  by,  forth  ledd  her  guestes  anone 
Into  the  kitchin  rowme,  ne  spard  for  nicenesse  none. 

29  It  was  a  vaut^  ybuilt  for  great  dispence,* 
With  many  raunges  reard  along  the  wall, 

And  one  great  chimney,  whose  long  tonnell  thence 
The  smoke  forth  threw     and  in  the  midst  of  all 


1  Tjout,  bow.  ■*  A  Hone,  together. 

2  Gestes.  gestures.  6  Vavt,  vault. 

3  Drapcts,  liueii  cloths.  8  Dispente,  expense. 


BOOK    IT.       CANTO    IX.  63 

There  placed  was  a  caudron  wide  and  tall 
Upon  a  mightie  fornace,  burning  whott, 
More  whott  then  Aetn',  or  flaming  Mongiball: 
For  day  and  night  it  brent,  ne  ceased  not, 
So  long  as  any  thing  it  in  the  caudron  gott. 

30  But  to  delay  ^  the  heat,  least  by  mischaunce 
It  might  breake  out  and  set  the  whole  on  fyre. 
There  added  was  by  goodly  ordinaunce 

An  huge  great  payre  of  bellowes,  which  did  styre  * 
Continually,  and  cooling  breath  inspyre. 
About  the  caudron  many  cookes  accoyld^ 
With  hookes  and  ladles,  as  need  did  requyre ; 
The  whyles  the  viaundes  in  the  vessell  boyld, 
They  did  about  their  businesse  sweat,  and  sorely  toyld. 

31  The  maister  cooke  was  cald  Concoction  ; 
A  carefuU  man,  and  full  of  comely  guyse  : 
The  kitchin  clerke,  that  hight  Digestion, 
Did  order  all  th'  achates  *  in  seemely  wise, 
And  set  them  forth,  as  well  he  could  devise. 
The  rest  had  severall  offices  assynd  ; 
Some  to  remove  the  scum  as  it  did  rise ; 
Others  to  beare  the  same  away  did  mynd ; 

And  others  it  to  use  according  to  his  kynd. 

1  Delay,  temper.  8  Accoyld,  bustled. 

2  Sljfre,  stir,  move.  *  Achates,  provisions. 

XXIX.  5. — A  caudron.]     This  crt2<(7;-o«  is  the  stomach.  H. 

XXIX.  7.  —  Mongiball.]     MonyihaU  is  another  name  for  Mount 
/Etna.     H. 

XXX.  4.  —  Payre  of  bellowes.]     These  are  the  lungs.    II. 


64  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

32  But  all  the  liquour,  which  was  fowle  and  waste, 
Not  good  nor  serviceable  elles  for  ought, 
They  in  another  great  rownd  vessel  [)laste, 
Till  by  a  conduit  pipe  it  thence  were  brought ; 
And  all  the  rest,  that  noyous  was  and  nought, 
By  secret  wayes,  that  none  might  it  espy, 

Was  close  convaid,  and  to  the  backgate  brought, 
That  cleped  was  Port  Esquiline,  whereby 
It  was  avoided  quite,  and  throwne  out  privily. 

33  Which  goodly  order  and  great  workmans  skill 
Whenas  those  knightes  beheld,  with  rare  delight 
And  gazing  wonder  they  their  mindes  did  fill ; 
For  never  had  they  scene  so  straunge  a  sight. 
Thence  backe  againe  faire  Alma  led  them  right. 
And  soone  into  a  goodly  parlour  brought. 

That  was  with  i-oyall  arras  richly  dight,^ 
In  which  was  nothing  pourtrahed  nor  wrought ; 
Not  wrought  nor  pourti'ahed,  but  easie  to  be  thought 

34  And  in  the  midst  thereof  upon  the  floure 
A  lovely  bevy  of  faire  ladies  sate. 
Courted  of  many  a  iolly  ^  pararaoure, 

1  Dight,  covered.  2  Tolly,  handsome. 


XXXII.  8.  —  Port  Esquiline.']  The  Campus  Esquilinus,  outside 
of  the  Esquiline  gate  of  Rome,  was  used  as  a  burial  place  for  the 
poor.  The  mean  purposes  to  which  it  was  devoted  account  for 
the  word  being  employed  here.    H. 

XXXIV.  2. —  Of  f aire  ladies.]  These  /aire  ladies  represent 
the  various  affections;  the  parlor  being  the  heart.    H. 


BOOK   ir.      CANTO    IX.  66 


The  which  them  did  in  modest  wise  amate,^ 
And  each  one  sought  his  lady  to  aggrate  ^ ; 
And  eke  emongst  them  litle  Cupid  playd 
His  wanton  sportes,  being  retourned  late 
From  his  fierce  warres,  and  having  from  him  layd 
His  cruel  bow,  wherewith  he  thousands  hath  dismayd. 

35  Diverse  deHghts  they  fownd  themselves  to  please ; 
Some   song   in  sweet  consort^;   some  laught  for 

ioy; 
Some  plaid  with  strawes ;  some  ydly  satt  at  ease  ; 
But  other  some  could  not  abide  to  toy, 
All  pleasaunce  was  to  them  griefe  and  annoy : 
This  fround ;  that  faund  ;  the  third  for  shame  did 

blush  ; 
Another  seemed  envious,  or  coy  ; 
Another  in  her  teeth  did  gnaw  a  rush  : 
But  at  these  straungers  presence  every  one  did  hush. 

36  Soone  as  the  gracious  Alma  came  in  place, 
They  all  attonce  out  of  their  seates  arose. 
And  to  her  homage  made  with  humble  grace : 
Whom  when  the  knights  beheld,  they  gah  dispose 
Themselves  to  court,  and  each  a  damzell  chose  : 
The  Prince  by  chaunce  did  on  a  lady  light. 
That  was  right  faire  and  fresh  as  morning  rose, 
But  somwhat  sad  and  solemne  eke  in  sight,* 

As  if  some  pensive  thought  constraind  her  gentle 
spright. 


1  Amate,  accompany.      8  Consdrt.  concert. 

2  Afj(jrate,  please.  *  In  s'xjht,  in  appearance,  or  expression. 

VOL.   II  ^ 


66  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

37  In  a  long  purple  pall,  whose  skirt  with  gold 
"Was  fretted  all  about,  she  was  arayd  ; 

And  in  her  hand  a  poplar  braunch  did  hold  ; 
To  whom  the  Prince  in  coui'teous  maner  sayd : 
"  Gentle  Madame,  why  beene  ye  thus  dismayd, 
And  your  faire  beautie  doe  with  sadnes  spill  ^? 
Lives  any  that  you  hath  thus  ill  apayd"? 
Or  doen  you  love,  or  doen  you  lack  your  will  ? 
Whatever  bee  the  cause,  it  sure  beseemes  you  ill." 

38  "  Fayre  Sir,"  said  she,  halfe  in  disdainefuU  wise, 
"  How  is  it  that  this  word  3  in  me  ye  blame. 
And  in  yourselfe  doe  not  the  same  advise*? 
Him  ill  beseemes  anothers  fault  to  name, 

That  may  unwares  bee  blotted  with  the  same: 
Pensive  I  yeeld  I  am,  and  sad  in  mind. 
Through  great  desire  of  glory  and  of  fame ; 
Ne  ought  I  weene  are  ye  therein  behynd, 
That  have  three  years  *  sought  One,  yet  no  where 
can  Her  find." 

39  The  Prince  was  inly  moved  at  her  speach, 
Well  weeting  trew  what  she  had  rashly  ^  told ; 
Yet  with  faire  semblaunt  ''sought  to  hyde  the  breach, 

1  Spill,  spoil,  obscure.  *  Advise,  perceive. 

2  A}xiyd,  satisfied.  5  ]i(tshbj,  at  a  venture. 
8  Jlr.  Collier  very  plausibly  suggests  mood. 

6  Seinblaunt,  appearance. 


XXXVII.  Z.  — A  poplar  braunch.]  The  poplar  was  sacred  to 
Hercules,  which  is  the  reason  why  this  lady,  who  represents  the 
fove  of  distinction,  has  a  branch  of  it  in  her  hands,  that  hero  being 
so  distinguished  for  that  quality.    H. 

*  Three  years.    2d  Edition,  twelve  months.    See  Stanza  7. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IX.  67 

Which  chaunge  of  colour  did  perforce  unfold, 
Now  seeming  flaming  whott,  now  stony  cold : 
Tho,  turning  soft  aside,  he  did  inquyre 
What  wight  she  was  that  poplar  braunch  did  hold: 
It  answered  was,  her  name  was  Prays-desire. 
That  by  well  doing  sought  to  honour  to  aspyre. 

40  The  whyles,  the  Faery  Knight  did  entertayne 
Another  damsell  of  that  gentle  crew. 

That  was  right  fayre  and  modest  of  demayne,^ 
But  that  too  oft  she  chaung'd  her  native  hew : 
Straunge  was  her  tyre,  and  all  her  garment  blew, 
Close  rownd  about  her  tuckt  with  many  a  plight  ^  r 
Upon  her  fist  the  bird  which  shonneth  vew 
And  keepes  in  coverts  close  from  living  wight, 
Did  sitt,  as  yet  ashamd  how  rude  Pan  did  her  dight.* 

41  So  long  as  Guyon  with  her  commoned, 
Unto  the  grownd  she  cast  her  modest  eye, 
And  ever  and  anone  with  rosy  red 

The  bashfuU  blood  her  snowy  cheekes  did  dye, 
That  her  became,  as  polisht  yvory 
Which  cunning  craftesman  hand  hath  overlayd 
With  fayre  vermilion  or  pure  castory. 

1  Demayne,  demeanor.  s  Dight,  treat. 

2  Plifjht,  fold. 

XL.  7. —  The  bird,  Sec]  The  nymph  Echo  bore  to  Pan  a 
daugliter  named  .Tynx,  who  was  changed  by  Juno  into  a  bird  of 
the  same  name,  the  wryneck,  or  cuckoo's  mate. 

XLI.  7.  —  Caslory.]  This  appears  from  the  context  to  be  a  red 
coloring  matter.  I  can  give  no  account  of  the  word.  It  can  hard- 
ly be  casfoi-eum,  the  secretion  of  the  beaver.     C. 


68  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Great  wonder  had  the  Knight  to  see  the  mayd 
So  straungely  passioned/  and  to  her  gently  said : 

42  "  Fayre  Damzell,  seeraeth  by  your  troubled  cheare, 
That  either  me  too  bold  ye  weene,  this  wise 

You  to  molest,  or  other  ill  to  feare 
That  in  the  secret  of  your  hart  close  lyes, 
From  whence  it  doth,  as  cloud  from  sea,  aryse : 
If  it  be  I,  of  pardon  I  you  pray  ; 
But,  if  ought  else  that  I  mote  not  devyse, 
I  will,  if  please  you  it  discure,^  assay 
To  ease  you  of  that  ill,  so  wisely  as  I  may." 

43  She  answerd  nought,  but  more  abasht  for  shame 
Held  downe  her  head,  the  whiles  her  lovely  face 
The  flashing  blood  with  blushing  did  inflame. 
And  the  strong  passion  ^  mard  her  modest  grace, 
That  Guyon  mervayld  at  her  uncouth  *  cace  ; 
Till  Alma  him  bespake  :  "  Why  wonder  yee, 
Faire  Sir,  at  that  which  ye  so  much  embrace  ^  ? 
She  is  the  fountaine  of  your  modestee  ; 

You  shamefast  are,  but  Shamefastnes  itselfe  is  shee/' 

14  Thereat  the  Elfe  did  blush  in  privitee. 
And  turnd  his  face  away ;  but  she  the  same 
Dissembled  faire,  and  faynd  to  oversee. 
Thus  they  awhile  with  court  and  goodly  game 
Themselves  did  solace  each  one  with  his  dame, 
Till  tliat  great  Lady  thence  away  them  sought 

1  Passioned,  moved.  ^  Passion,  emotion. 

2  Disaire,  discover.  *  Uncouth,  singular. 
6  So  vmch  embrace,  of  which  you  have  so  much. 


BOOK   II.       CANTO    IX.  69 

To  vew  her  castles  other  wondrous  frame : 
Up  to  a  stately  turret  she  them  brought, 
Ascending  by  ten  steps  of  alablaster  wrought. 

45  That  turrets  frame  most  admirable  was, 
Like  highest  heaven  compassed  around, 
And  lifted  high  above  this  earthly  masse. 
Which  it  survewd,^  as  hils  doen  lower  ground : 
But  not  on  ground  mote  like  to  this  be  found ; 
Not  that,  which  antique  Cadmus  whylome  built 
In  Thebes,  which  Alexander  did  confound  ; 

Nor  that  proud  towre  of  Troy,  though  richly  guilt,^ 
From  which  young  Hectors  blood  by  cruell  Greekes 
was  spilt. 

46  The  roofe  hereof  was  arched  over  head, 

And  deckt  with  flowers  and  herbars  ^  daintily ; 
Two  goodly  beacons,  set  in  watches  stead, 
Therein  gave  light,  and  flamd  continually : 
For  they  of  living  fire  most  subtilly 
Were  made,  and  set  in  silver  sockets  bright, 
Cover'd  with  lids  deviz'd  of  substance  sly,^ 
That  readily  they  shut  and  open  might. 
O,  who  can  tell  the  prayses  of  that  makers  might ! 

1  Survewd,  overlooked.  *  fferbars,  plants. 

2  Giiilt,  gilded.  4  Sly,  subtile,  finely  wi-ought. 


XLV.  9. — Fromiohich  young  Hectors  blood,  &c.]  Astyanax, 
fno  son  of  Hector,  was  thrown  from  the  walls  of  Troy  by  the 
Greeks.    H. 

XL VI.  1.  —  The  roo/e,  &c.]  The  arched  roof  is  the  skull ;  the 
flowers  and  herbars,  the  hair;  the  two  goodly  beacons,  the  eyes. 


70  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

47  Ne  can  I  tell,  ne  can  I  stay  to  tell, 

This  parts  great  workemanship  and  wondrous  powre 
That  all  this  other  worldes  worke  doth  excell, 
And  likest  is  unto  that  heavenly  towre 
That  God  hath  built  for  his  owne  blessed  bowre. 
Therein  were  divers  rowmes,  and  divers  stages  ; 
But  three  the  chiefest  and  of  greatest  powre, 
In  which  there  dwelt  three  honoi'able  Sages, 
The  wisest  men,  I  w^eene,  that  lived  iii  their  ages. 

48  Nothe^whom  Greece,  the  nourse  of  all  good  arts, 
By  Phaebus  doome  the  wisest  thought  alive. 
Might  be  compar'd  to  these  by  many  parts  : 

Nor  that  sage  Pylian  syre,^  which  did  survive 
Three  ages,  such  as  mortall  men  contrive,^ 
By  whose  advise  old  Prianis  cittie  fell, 
With  these  in  praise  of  pollicies  mote  strive. 
These  three  in  these  three  rowmes  did  sondry  dwell, 
And  counselled  faire  Alma  how  to  governe  well. 

49  The  first  of  them  could  things  to  come  foresee ; 
The  next  could  of  thinges  present  best  advize; 
The  third  things  past  could  keepe  in  raemoree : 
So  that  no  time  nor  reason  could  arize, 

But  that  the  same  could  one  of  these  comprize. 
Forthy  '  the  first  did  in  the  forepart  sit, 

1  I.  e.  Socrates.  8  Contrive,  wear  out,  spend. 

*  I.  e.  Nestor.  ■*  Forthy,  therefore. 

XLVII.  3. —  Mr.  Collier  informs  us  that  Drayton,  in  his  copy 
of  the  Fniry  Queen,  changed  other  in  this  line  to  neather,  and 
reason  hi  XLIX.  4  to  season.  Both  tliese  changes  are  probable.  C. 

XLIX.  1. —  The  first  of  them.]  The  first  of  these  personages 
'is  Imagination,  the  second  Judgment,  and  the  third  Memory.     H 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IX.  71 

That  nought  mote  hinder  his  quicke  preiudize  * ; 
He  had  a  shavpe  foresight  and  working  wit 
That  never  idle  was,  ne  once  would  rest  a  whit. 

60  His  chamber  was  dispainted  all  within 
With  sondry  colours,  in  the  which  were  writ 
Infinite  shapes  of  thinges  dispersed  thin  ; 
Some  such  as  in  the  world  were  never  yit, 
Ne  can  devized  be  of  mortall  wit ; 

Some  daily  seene  and  knowen  by  their  names, 
Such  as  in  idle  fantasies  doe  flit ; 
Infernall  hags,  centaurs,  feendes,  hippodames,^ 
Apes,  lyons,  aegles,  owles,  fooles,  lovers,  children, 
dames.  . 

61  And  all  the  chamber  filled  was  with  flyes, 
"Which  buzzed  all  about,  and  made  such  sound 
That  they  encombred  all  mens  eares  and  eyes ; 
Like  many  swarmes  of  bees  assembled  round, 
After  their  hives  with  honny  do  abound. 

All  those  wei'e  idle  thoughtes  and  fantasies. 
Devices,  dreames,  opinions  unsound, 
Shewes,  visions,  sooth-sayes,  and  prophesies  ; 
And  all  that  fained  is,  as  leasings,  tales,  and  lies. 

62  Emongst  them  all  sate  he  which  wonned  ^  there, 
That  hight  Phantasies  by  his  nature  trew  ; 

A  man  of  yeares  yet  fresh,  as  mote  appere. 
Of  swarth  com[)lexion,  and  of  crabbed  hew, 


1  Preiudize,  foresight.  8  Wonned,  dwelt. 

*  Hippodames,  river-horses  (hippopotamuses.) 


72  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  him  full  of  melancholy  did  shew  ; 
Bent  hollow  beetle  browes,  sharpe  staring  eyes, 
That  mad  or  foolish  seerad :  one  by  his  vew 
Mote  deeme  him  borne  with  ill-disposed  skyes, 
When  oblique^  Saturne  sate  in  the  house  of  agonyes. 

53  Whom  Alma  having  shewed  to  her  guestes, 
Thence  brought  them  to  the  second  rowme,  whose 

wals 
Were  painted  faire  with  memorable  gestes^ 
Of  famous  wisards  ;  and  with  picturals 
Of  magistrates,  of  courts,  of  tribunals, 
Of  coramen-wealthes,  of  states,  of  pollicy, 
Of  lawes,  of  iudgementes,  and  of  decretals, 
All  artes,  all  science,  all  philosophy. 
And  all  that  in  the  world  was  ay  thought  wittily.* 

54  Of  those  that  rowme  was  full ;  and  them  among 
There  sate  a  man  of  ripe  and  perfect  age, 
Who  did  them  meditate  all  his  life  long. 

That  through  continuall  practise  and  usage 
He  now  was  growne  right  wise  and  wondrous  sage : 
Great  plesure  had  those  straunger  knightes  to  see 
His  goodly  reason  and  grave  personage, 

1  Oblique,  unpropitious.  8  Wittily,  wisely. 

2  Gestes,  deeds. 

LII.  9.  —  Tlie  house  of  ayonyes.]  The  twelfth  house  of  the 
celestial  sphere  according  to  astrologers,  in  which,  they  say, "  Sat- 
urn greatly  joyeth."  "  The  twelfth  house,  being  the  house  of 
tribulation,  resolves  all  questions  of  sorrow,  afiliction,  anxiety  of 
mind,  trouble,  distress,  imprisonment,  persecution,  malice,  secret 
inemies,  suicide,  treason,"  &c.     Sibly's  Astrology.     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IX.  73 

That  his  disciples'  both  desyrd  to  bee : 
But  Alma  thence  them  led  to  th'  hindmost  rowme  of 
three. 

55  That  chamber  seemed  ruinous  and  old, 
And  therefore  was  removed  far  behind, 

Yet  were  the  wals,  that  did  the  same  uphold, 
Right    firme    and    strong,    though    somwhat    they 

declind^ ; 
And  therein  sat  an  old,  old  man,  lialfe  blind. 
And  all  decrepit  in  his  feeble  corse, 
Yet  lively  vigour  rested  in  his  mind, 
And  recompenst  him  with  a  better  scorse^ : 
Weake  body  well  is  chang'd  for  minds  redoubled  forse. 

56  This  man  of  infinite  remembraunce  was. 
And  things  foregone  through  many  ages  held, 
Which  he  recorded  still  as  they  did  pas, 

Ne  suffred  them  to  perish  through  long  eld,* 
As  all  things  els  the  which  this  world  doth  weld*; 
But  laid  them  up  in  his  immortall  serine,^ 
Where  they  for  ever  incorrupted  dweld  : 
The  warres  he  well  remembred  of  King  Nine, 
Of  old  Assaracus,  and  Inachus  divine. 

57  The  yeares  of  Nestor  nothing  were  to  his, 
Ne  yet  Mathusalem,  though  longest  liv'd ; 
For  he  remembred  both  their  infancis : 


1  Dtclind,  i.  e.  from  the  perpendicular.         *  Weld,  controL 

2  Scarse,  exchange.  6  Serine,  desk. 
8  Jild^  age. 


74  THE   FAERIE    QDEENE. 

Ne  wonder  then  if  that  he  were  depriv'd 
Of  native  strength  now  that  he  thera  surviv'd. 
His  chamber  all  was  hangd  about  with  rolls 
And  old  records  from  auncient  times  derivd. 
Some  made  in  books,  some  in  long  parchment  scrolls, 
That  were  all  worm-eaten  and  full  of  canker  holes. 

58  Amidst  them  all  he  in  a  chaire  was  sett, 
Tossing  and  turning  them  withouten  end  ; 
But  for  he  was  unliable  them  to  fett,* 
A  litle  boy  did  on  him  still  attend 
To  reach,  whenever  he  for  ought  did  send  : 
And  oft  when  thinges  were  lost,  or  laid  amis, 
That  boy  them  sought  and  unto  him  did  lend': 
Therefore  he  Anamnestes  cleped  is  ; 

And  that  old  man  Eumnestes,  by  their  propertis. 

69  The  Knightes  there  entring  did  him  reverence  dew, 
And  wondi-ed  at  his  endlesse  exercise. 
Then  as  they  gan  his  library  to  vew, 
And  antique  regesters  for  to  avise,' 
There  chaunced  to  the  Princes  hand  to  rize 
An  auncient  booke,  hight  Briton  Moniments, 
That  of  this  lands  first  conquest  did  devize, 


1  Fett^  fetch.  8  Avise,  examine. 

2  Lend,  liand,  reach. 

LVIII.  4. —  A  litle  boy,  &c.]  Tlie  boy  sustains  to  tlie  old  man 
tlie  relation  of  Recollection  to  Memory.  —  Eumnestes  means  a 
person  of  good  memory ;  Anamnestes,  one  who  puts  in  mind  of 
something  wiiich  has  been  forgotten.  It  is  not  improbable  that 
Spenser  intended  by  Anamnestes,  Anagnosles,  a  reader. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    IX.  75 

And  old  division  into  regiments  * 
Till  it  reduced  was  to  one  mans  governemeats. 

60  Sir  Guyon  chaunst  eke  on  another  books, 
That  hight  Antiquitee  of  Faery  Lond  : 
In  which  whenas  he  greedily  did  looke, 
Th'  ofspring  of  Elves  and  Faryes  there  he  fond, 
As  it  delivered  was  from  bond  to  hond : 
Whereat  they,  burning  both  with  fervent  fire 
Their  countreys  auncestry  to  understond, 
Crav'd  leave  of  Alma  and  that  aged  sire 

To  read  those  bookes  ;  who  gladly  graunted  their  de- 
sire. 

1  Eegimenls,  governments. 


76  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 


CANTO    X. 


A  Chronicle  of  Briton  Kings,* 
From  Brute  to  Uthers  rayne; 

And  rolls  of  Elfin  Emperours, 
Till  time  of  Gloriane. 


1  Who  now  shall  give  unto  me  words  and  sound 
Equall  unto  this  haughty^  enterprise? 

Or  who  shall  lend  me  wings,  with  which  from  ground 
My  lowly  verse  may  loftily  arise, 
And  lift  itselfe  unto  the  highest  skyes  ? 
More  ample  spirit  then  hetherto  was  wount*^ 
Here  needes  me,  whiles  the  famous  auncestryes 
Of  my  most  dreaded  Soveraigne  I  recount. 
By  which  all  earthly  princes  she  doth  far  surmount. 

2  Ne  under  sunne  that  shines  so  wide  and  faire, 
Whence  all  that  lives  does  borrow  life  and  light, 
Lives  ought  that  to  her  linage  may  compaire  ; 

1  naughty,  high,  bold.  2  Wounl,  wont. 


*  Some  parts  of  this  Chronicle  appear  to  be  taken  from  Holin- 
slied,  others  from  GeollVey  of  Monmouth,  the  oldest  authority  for 
these  fabulous  stories.  There  are  two  or  three  unimportant  par- 
ticulars, not  found  in  either,  which  I  have  not  succended  in  tracing 
to  their  original.     C. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    X.  77 

Which,  though  from  earth  it  be  derived  right, 
Yet  doth  itselfe  stretch  forth  to  hevens  hight, 
And  all  the  world  with  wonder  overspred  ; 
A  labor  huge,  exceeding  far  my  might ! 
How  shall  fraile  pen,  with  feare  disparaged,* 
Conceive  such  soveraine  glory  and  great  bountyhed  ^  ? 

3  Argument  worthy  of  Mojonian  quill ; 

Or  rather  worthy  of  great  Phoebus  rote,' 
Whereon  the  ruines  of  great  Ossa  hill, 
And  triumphes  of  Phlegrajan  love,  he  wrote, 
That  all  the  gods  adraird  his  lofty  note. 
But,  if  some  relish  of  that  hevenly  lay 
His  learned  daughters  would  to  me  report 
To  decke  my  song  withall,  I  would  assay 
Thy  name,  O  soveraine  Queene,  to  blazon  far  away. 

4  Thy  name,  O  soveraine  Queene,  thy  realme,  and 

race. 
From  this  renowmed  Prince  derived  arre. 
Who  mightily  upheld  that  royall  mace 
Which  now  thou  bear'st,  to  thee  descended  farre 
From  mighty  kings  and  conquerours  in  warre, 
Thy  fathers  and  great  grandfathers  of  old. 
Whose  noble  deeds  above  the  northern  starre 
Immortall  Fame  for  ever  hath  enrold  ; 
As  in  that  Old  Mans  booke  they  were  in  order  told. 


1  Disparaged,  i.  e.  deprived  of  its  ordinary  power. 

2  Bountyhed,  goodness. 

3  Rote,  lyre.    {Celtic,  chrotta  ;  English,  craiod.) 


78  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

5  The  land  which  warlike  Britons  now  possesse, 
And  therein  have  their  mighty  empire  raysd, 
In  antique  times  w^as  salvage  wildernesse, 
Unpeopled,  unmannurd,  unprovd,^  unpraysd; 
Ne  was  it  island  then,  ne  was  it  paysd^ 
Amid  the  ocean  waves,  ne  was  it  sought 

Of  merchaunts  farre  for  profits  therein  praysd  ; 
But  was  all  desolate,  and  of  some  thought 
By  sea  to  have  bene  from  the  Celticke  mayn-land 
brought. 

6  Ne  did  it  then  deserve  a  name  to  have, 
Till  that  the  venturous  mariner  that  w^ay, 
Learning  his  ship  from  those  white  rocks  to  save, 
Whicii  all  along  the  southerne  sea-coast  lay, 
Threatning  unheedy  wrecke  and  rash  decay. 
For  safety  that  same  his  sea-marke  made, 

And  namd  it  Albion  :  but  later  day, 
Finding  in  it  fit  ports  for  fishers  trade, 
Gan  more  the  same  frequent,  and  further  to  invade. 

■7  But  far  in  land  a  salvage  nation  dwelt 
Of  hideous  giaunts,  and  halfe-beastly  men, 
That  never  tasted  grace,  nor  goodnes  felt ; 
But  wild  like  beastes  lurking  in  loathsome  den, 
And  flying  fast  as  roebucke  through  the  fen, 
All  naked  without  shame  or  care  of  cold, 
By  hunting  and  by  spoiling  liveden  ^  ; 
Of  stature  huge,  and  eke  of  corage  bold, 
That  sonnes  of  men  amazd  their  sternesse  to  behold. 

i  Unprovd,  not  worked  or  cultivated.  8  Liveden,  lived. 

2  Pityifi,  poised. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    X.  79 

6  But  whence  they  sprong,  or  how  they  were  begott, 
Uneath^  is  to  assure^;  uneath  to  wene' 
That  monstrous  error  which  doth  some  assott,* 
That  Dioclesians  fifty  daughters  shene  ^ 
Into  this  land  by  chaunce  have  driven  bene  ; 
Where,  companing  with  feends  and  fihhy  sprighta 
Through  vaine  illusion  of  their  lust  unclene, 
They  brought  forth  geaunts,  and   such   dreadful 
wi2;hts 
As  far  exceeded  men  in  their  immeasurd  mights. 

9  They  held  this  land,  and  with  their  filthinesse 
Polluted  this  same  gentle  soyle  long  time  ; 
That  their  owne  mother  loathd  their  beastlinesse, 
And  gan  abhorre  her  broods  unkindly  ^  crime, 
All  were  they  borne  of  her  owne  native  slime : 
Until  that  Brutus,  anciently  deriv'd 
From  roiall  stocke  of  old  Assaracs  line. 
Driven  by  fatall  error  '  here  arriv'd, 
And  them  of  their  uniust  possession  depriv'd. 

10  But  ere  he  had  established  his  throne, 
And  spred  his  empire  to  the  utmost  shore, 
He  fought  great  batteils  with  his  salvage  fone  ^ : 

1  Vheaih,  hard.  ■*  Assott,  infatuate. 

2  Assure,  to  assert  confidently.  ^  Shene,  bright. 

8  Wene,  believe.  ^  Unkindly,  unnaturaL 

7  Fatall  error,  foreordained  wandering. 

8  Fone,  foes. 

VIII.  4.  —  This  Dioclesian  is  a  fabled  king  of  Assyria.  Holin- 
shed,  without  vouching  for  the  story,  says  that  the  name  is  a  mis- 
take for  Dauaus.    C. 


80  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

In  which  he  them  defeated  evermore, 
And  many  giaunts  left  on  groning  flore  * : 
That  well  can  witnes  yet  unto  this  day 
The  westerne  Hogh,  besprincled  wnth  the  gore 
Of  mighty  Goemot,  whome  in  stout  fray 
Corineus  conquered,  and  cruelly  did  slay. 

11  And  eke  that  ample  pilt,  yet  far  renownd 
For  the  large  leape  which  Debon  did  compell 
Coulin  to  make,  being  eight  lugs'^  of  grownd, 
Into  the  which  retourning  backe  he  fell : 

But  those  three  monstrous  stones  doe  most  excel), 
.  Which  that  huge  sonne  of  liideous  Albion, 
Whose  father  Hercules  in  Fraunce  did  quell. 
Great  Godnier  threw,  in  fierce  contention, 
At  bold  Canutus  ;  but  of  him  was  slaine  anon. 

12  In  meed  of  these  great  conquests  by  them  gott, 
Corineus  had  that  province  utmost  west 

To  him  assigned  for  his  worthy  lott, 
Which  of  his  name  and  memorable  gest  * 
He  called  Cornwaile,  yet  so  called  best : 
And  Debons  shayre  was  that  is  Devon  shyre : 
But  Canute  had  his  portion  from  the  rest, 
The  which  he  cald  Canutium,  for  his  hyre ; 
Now  Cantium,  which  Kent  we  comenly  inquyre.* 

1  Fhre,  ground.  8  Gest,  exploit. 

2  Lufjs,  rods. 

*  Inquyre  (i.  e.  inquire  for  by  the  name  of),  call  ( ?  ). 

X.  7.  —  The  Hogh  is  the  Haw  near  Plymouth.  8.  Goemot  is 
Gogmagog.  9.  Corineus  was  said  to  be  the  leader  of  a  party  of 
Trojans  that  had  emigrated  with  Autenor.     C. 


BOOK   11.      CANTO    X.  81 

13  Thus  Brute  this  reahne  unto  his  rule  subdewd. 
And  raigned  long  in  great  felicity, 

Lov'd  of  his  freends,  and  of  his  foes  eschewd  : 
He  left  three  sonnes,  his  famous  progeny, 
Borne  of  fayre  Inogene  of  Italy  ; 
Mongst  whom  he  parted  his  imperiall  state, 
And  Locrine  left  chiefe  lord  of  Britany. 
At  last  ripe  age  bad  him  surrender  late 
His  life,  and  long  good  fortune,  unto  finall  fate. 

14  Locrine  was  left  the  soveraine  lord  of  all ; 
But  Albanact  had  all  the  northerne  part. 
Which  of  himselfe  Albania  he  did  call ; 

And  Camber  did  possesse  the  westerne  quart,* 
Which  Severne  now  from  Logris  ^  doth  depart : 
And  each  his  portion  peaceably  enioyd, 
Ne  was  there  outward  breach,  nor  grudge  in  hart, 

>   That  once  their  quiet  government  annoyd  ; 

But  each  his  paynes  to  others  profit  still  employd. 

15  Untill  a  nation  sfraung,^  with  visage  swart 
And  corage  fierce  that  all  men  did  affray, 
Which  through  the  world  then  swarmd  in  every 

part, 
And  overflow'd  all  countries  far  away. 
Like    Noyes    great   flood,  with  their   importune^ 

sway, 
This  land  invaded  with  like  violence. 
And  did  themselves  through  all  the  north  display ; 

1  Quart,  quarter.  ^  I.  e.  the  Huns. 

2  Loi/ria,  England.  ^  Importune,  unrelenting,  iiresistible. 

vou  11  6 


82  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Untill  that  Locrine,  for  his  realmes  defence, 
Did  head  against  them  make  and  strong  munificence.^ 

16  He  them  encountred,  a  confused  rout, 
Foreby  ^  the  river  that  whylome  was  hight 
The  ancient  Abus,  where  with  courage  stout 
He  them  defeated  in  victorious  fight, 
And  chaste  so  fiercely  after  fearefuU  flight, 
That  forst  their  chiefetain,  for  his  safeties  sake, 
(Their  cheifetain  H umber  named  was  aright,) 
Unto  the  mighty  streame  him  to  betake, 

W  here  he  an  end  of  batteill  and  of  life  did  make. 

■7  The  king  retourned  proud  of  victory. 
And  insolent  wax  through  unwonted  ease. 
That  sliortly  he  forgot  the  ieopardy. 
Which  in  his  land  he  lately  did  appease, 
And  fell  to  vaine  voluptuous  disease : 
He  lov'd  faire  Ladie  Estrild,  leudly  lov'd, 
Whose  wanton  pleasures  him  too  much  did  please, 
That  quite  his  hart  from  Guendolene  remov'd, 

From  Guendolene  liis  wife,  though  alwaies  faithful 
prov'd. 

18  The  noble  daughter  of  Corineus 

Would  not  endure  to  bee  so  vile  disdaind, 
But,  gathering  force  and  corage  valorous, 

1  Munificence  (i.  e.  munition),  defence.  2  Foreby,  near  to. 

X VTI.  6.  —  The  Lady  Estrild  was  siiid  to  be  the  daughter  of  fl 
Genn.in  khiK.    C. 


BOOK    II        CANTO    X.  83 

Encountred  him  in  batteill  well  ordaind, 
In  which  him  vanquisht  she  to  fly  constraind  . 
But  she  so  fast  pursewd,  that  him  she  tooke 
And  threw  in  bands,  where  he  till  death  remaind  r 
Als^  his  faire  leman  flying  through  a  brooke 
She  overhent,^  nought  moved  with  her  piteous  looke  •• 

19  But  both  herselfe,  and  eke  her  daughter  deare 
Begotten  by  her  kingly  paramoure. 

The  faire  Sabrina,  almost  dead  with  feare, 
She  there  attached,^  far  from  all  succoure : 
The  one  she  slew  upon  the  present  floure* ; 
But  the  sad  virgin  innocent  of  all 
Adowne  the  rolling  river  she  did  poure, 
Which  of  her  name  now  Severne  men  do  call : 
Such  was  the  end  that  to  disloyall  love  did  fall. 

20  Then  for  her  sonne,  which  she  to  Locrin  bore, 
(Madan  was  young,  unmeet  the  rule  to  sway,) 
In  her  owne  hand  the  crowne  she  kept  in  storey 
Till  ryper  yeares  he  raught^  and  stronger  stay  : 
During  which  time  her  powre  she  did  display 
Through  all  this  realme,  the  glory  of  her  sex. 
And  first  taught  men  a  woman  to  obay : 

1  Als,  also.  6  Raught,  reached. 

2  Overhent,  overtook. 

3  Attached,  seized. 

4  The  present  f  HUT t,  i.  e.  the  spot  where  she  was. 


XIX.  3.—  The  faire  Sabrina.]  This  is  the  "Sabrina  fair"  of 
Milton's  Comus,  in  which  her  sad  fate  is  commemorated  in  a  pas- 
sage of  gi-eat  beauty.    H. 


84  THE    FAERTE    QUEENB. 

But  when  her  sonne  to  mans  estate  did  wex/ 
She  it  surrendred,  ne  her  selfe  would  lenger  vex. 

21  Tho  Madan  raignd,  unworthie  of  his  race; 
For  with  all  shame  that  sacred  throne  he  fild. 
Next  Memprise,  as  unworthy  of  that  place, 
In  which  being  consorted  with  Manild, 

For  thirst  of  sino-le  kingdom  him  he  kild. 
But  Flbranck  salved^  both  their  infamies 
With  noble  deedes,  and  warreyd  on  Brunehild 
In  Renault,  where  yet  of  his  victories 
Brave  moniraents  remaine,  which  jet  that  land  envies. 

22  An  happy  man  in  his  first  dayes  he  was, 
And  happy  father  of  faire  progeny  : 

For  all  so  many  weekes,  as  the  yeare  has. 
So  many  children  he  did  multiply  ; 
Of  which  were  twentie  sonnes,  which  did  apply 
Their  mindes  to  prayse  and  chevalrous  desyre : 
Those  germans  ®  did  subdew  all  Germany, 
Of  whom  it  hight ;  but  in  the  end  their  syre 
With  foule  Tepulse  from  Fraunce  was  forced  to  retyre. 

23  Which  blott  his  sonne  succeeding  in  his  seat. 
The  second  Brute,  the  second  both  in  name 
And  eke  in  semblaunce  of  his  puissaunce  great, 
Right  well  recur'd,  and  did  away  that  blame 
With  recompence  of  everlasting  fame  : 

He  with  his  victour  sword  first  opened 

The  bowels  of  wide  Fraunce,  a  forloi-ne  dame, 

1  Wex,  grow.  8  Germans,  brothere 

2  Salved,  lieulcd. 


BOOK    II.      CANTO    X.  S5 

And  taught  her  first  how  to  be  conquered ; 
Since  which,  with  sondrie  spoiles  she  hath  bene  ran- 
sacked. 

24  Let  Scaldis  tell,  and  let  tell  Hania, 
And  let  the  marsh  of  Esthambruges  tell, 
What  colour  were  their  waters  that  same  day, 
And  all  the  moore  twixt  Elversham  and  Dell, 
With  blood  of  Henalois  which  therein  fell. 
How  oft  that  day  did  sad  Brunchildis  see 
The  greene  shield  dyde  in  dolorous  vermeil  ? 
That  not  scuith  guiridh  it  mote  seeme  to  bee. 

But  rather  y  scuith  gogh,  signe  of  sad  crueltee. 

85  His  Sonne,  King  Leill,  by  fathers  labour  long, 
Enioyd  an  heritage  of  lasting  peace, 
And  built  Cairleill,  and  built  Cairleon  strong. 
Next  Huddibras  his  realme  did  not  encrease, 
But  taught  the  land  from  wearie  wars  to  cease. 
Whose  footsteps  Bladud  following,  in  artes 
Exceld  at  Athens  all  the  learned  preace,* 
From  whence  he  brought  them  to  these  salvage 
parts, 

And  with  sweet  science  mollifide  their  stubborne  harts. 

1  Preace,  thrcng. 


XXIV.  8.  —  Scuith  guhidli.]  These  are  Welsh  words,  meaning 
"gi-een  shield."  Ysndth  fj(i(/h  menus  "the  red  shield."  These 
words,  and  all  of  the  ninth  line  except  "but,"  are  not  printed  in 
some  copies  of  the  first  edition.    C. 

XXV.  3.— C>«riscity;  Catrto'«,  Carlisle;  CflHeon  (City  of  the 
Legion),  Chester;   Cairbadon  (XXVI.  2),  Bath.     C. 


86  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

26  Ensample  of  his  wondrous  faculty, 
Behold  the  boj'ling  bathes  at  Cairbadon, 
Which  seeth  with  secret  fire  eternally, 

And  in  their  entrailles,  full  of  quick  brimston, 
Nourish  the  flames  which  they  are  warmd  upon, 
That  to  their  people  wealth  they  forth  do  well. 
And  health  to  every  forreyne  nation  : 
Yet  he  at  last,  contending  to  excell 
The  reach  of  men,  through  flight  into  fond  mischief  fell, 

27  Next  him  King  Leyr  in  happie  peace  long  raynd, 
But  had  no  issue  male  him  to  succeed ; 

But  three  faire  daughters,  which  were  well  uptraind 
In  all  that  seemed  fitt  for  kingly  seed  ; 
Mongst  whom  his  realme  he  equally  decreed 
To  have  divided.     Tho,  when  feeble  age 
Nigh  to  his  utmost  date  he  saw  proceed, 
He  cald  his  daughters,  and  with  speeches  sage 
Inquyrd,  which  of  them  most  did  love  her  parentage. 

28  The  eldest  Gonorill  gan  to  protest. 

That  she  much  more  then  her  owne  life  him  lov'd  ; 
And  Regan  greater  love  to  him  profest 
Then  all  the  world,  when  ever  it  were  proov'd  ; 
But  Cordeill  said  she  lov'd  him  as  behoov'd : 


XXVI.  9.  —  Fond  mischief.]  Foolish  death  or  ruin.  The  story 
IS,  that,  in  attempting  to  fiy,  lie  fell  and  was  dished  in  pieces.    H. 

XXVII.  1.  —  Kim/  Leyr.]  At  the  time  this  stanza  was  written, 
Spenser  little  dreamed  of  the  immortality  which  this  name  was 
destined  to  enjoy.  ''  King  Lear "  was  published  about  .-ixteeii 
years  after  the  Faerie  Queene.  The  magic  of  Shakespeare's  genius 
bas  made  these  the  only  interesting  stanzas  in  the  whole  canto. 

H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X.  87 

Whose  simple  answere,  wanting  colours  fayre 
To  paint  it  forth,  hira  to  displeasaunce  moov'd, 
That  in  his  crown  he  counted  her  no  hayre, 
But  twixt  the  other  twain  his  kingdom  whole  did 
shayre. 

29  So  wedded  th'  one  to  Maglan,  king  of  Scottes, 
And  th'  other  to  the  king  of  Cambria, 
And  twixt  them  shayrd  his  realme  by  equall  lottes; 
But,  without  dowre,  the  wise  Cordelia 
Was  sent  to  Aggannip  of  Celtica  ^ : 
Their  aged  syre,  thus  eased  of  his  crowne, 
A  private  life  ledd  in  Albania 
With  Gonorill,  long  had  in  great  renowne, 

That  nought  him  griev'd  to  beene  from  rule  deposed 
downe. 

80  But  true  it  is  that,  when  the  oyle  is  spent, 
The  light  goes  out,  and  weeke  is  throwne  away ; 
So,  when  he  had  resignd  his  regiment,^ 
His  daughter  gan  despise  his  drouping  day,' 
And  wearie  wax  of  his  continuall  stay  : 
Tho  to  his  daughter  Regan  he  repayrd, 
Who  him  at  fii-st  well  used  every  way  ; 
But  when  of  his  departure  she  despayrd. 

Her  bountie  she  abated,  and  his  cheare  empayrd. 

ji  The  wretched  man  gan  then  avise*  to  late, 
That  love  is  not  where  most  it  is  profest ; 
Too  truely  tryde  in  his  extremes!  state  ! 

1  I.  e.  France.  ^  Drouping  day,  declining  years. 

2  Beyimtnt,  government.  *  Avise.  neroeive 


88  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

At  last,  resolv'd  likewise  to  prove  the  rest, 
He  to  Cordelia  himselfe  addrest, 
Who  with  entyre  affection  him  receav'd, 
As  for  her  sjre  and  king  her  seemed  best ; 
And  after  all  an  army  strong  she  leav'd,* 
To  war  on  those  which  him  had  of  his  realme  bereav'd. 

3-2  So  to  his  crowne  she  him  restord  againe  ; 
In  which  he  dyde,  made  ripe  for  death  by  eld,^ 
And  after  wild  it  should  to  her  remaine  : 
Who  peaceably  the  same  long  time  did  weld,' 
And  all  mens  harts  in  dew  obedience  held  ; 
Till  that  her  sisters  children,  woxen  strong, 
Through  proud  ambition  against  her  rebeld, 
And  overcommen  kept  in  prison  long. 

Till  weary  of  that  wretched  life  herselfe  she  hong. 

33  Then  gan  the  bloody  brethren  both  to  raine  : 
But  fierce  Cundah  gan  shortly  to  envy 

His  brother  Morgan,  prickt  with  proud  disdaino 
To  have  a  pere  in  part  of  soverainty ; 
And,  kindling  coles  of  cruell  enmity, 
Raisd  warre,  and  him  in  batteill  overthrew  : 
Whence  as  he  to  those  woody  hilles  did  fiy, 
Whicli  hight  of  him  Glamorgan,  there  him  slew  : 
Then  did  he  raigne  alone,  when  he  none  equall  knew 

34  His  sonne  Rivall'  his  dead  rowme  did  supply  ; 
In  whose  sad  time  blood  did  from  heaven  rayne. 
Next  great  Gurgustus,  then  faire  Ciecily, 

1  Lf.nv'd,  levied.  2  iciii  nge.  8  Wtld,  wield. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X. 


89 


In  constant  peace  their  kingdomes  did  contayne. 
After  whom  Lago  and  Kinmarke  did  rayne, 
And  Gorbogiid,  till  far  in  yeares  he  grew : 
Then  his  ambitious  sonnes  unto  them  twayne 
Arraught  ^  the  rule,  and  from  their  father  drew ; 
Stout  Ferrex  and  sterne  Porrex  him  in  prison  threw. 

So  But  O  !  the  greedy  thirst  of  royall  crowne, 
That  knowes  no  kinred,  nor  regardes  no  right, 
Stird  Porrex  up  to  put  his  brother  downe ; 
Who,  unto  him  assembling  forreigne  might, 
Made  warre  on  him,  and  fell  himselfe  in  fight : 
Whose  death  t'  avenge,  his  mother  mercilesse, 
Most  mercilesse  of  women,  Wyden  hight, 
Her  other  sonne  fast  sleeping  did  oppresse, 

And  with  most  cruell  hand  him  murdred  pittilesse. 

36  Here  ended  Brutus  sacred  progeny. 

Which  had  seven  hundred  yeares  this  scepter  borne 
With  high  renowme  and  great  felicity  : 
The  noble  braunch  from  th'  antique  stocke  was  torne 
Through  discord,  and  the  roiall  throne  forlorne.^ 
Thenceforth  this  realme  was  into  factions  rent, 
Whilest  each  of  Biutus  boasted  to  be  borne, 
That  in  the  end  was  left  no  moniraent 

Of  Brutus,  nor  of  Britons  glorie  auncient. 

1  Arraught,  seized.  2  Forlorne,  left  vacant. 


XXXIV.  9.  —  Stout  Ferrex  and  sterne  Porrex.]  Ferrex  and 
Pwrtx  have  aftbrded  the  subject  of  the  earhest  tragedy  in  the 
English  hmguage,  written  by  Lord  Buckhurst  and  Thomas  Nor- 
ton, called  "  Gorboduc."  or  sometimes  "  Ferrex  and  Porrex."    H. 


90  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

87  Then  up  arose  a  man  of  matchlesse  might, 
And  wondrous  wit  to  menage  higli  affayres, 
Who,  stird  with  pitty  of  the  stressed^  pHght 
Of  this  sad  realme,  cut  into  sondry  shayres 
By  such  as  claymd  themselves   Brutes   rightfull 

hayres, 
Gathered  the  princes  of  the  people  loose  ^ 
To  taken  counsel]  of  their  common  cares  ; 
Wlio,  with  his  wisedom  won,  him  streight  did  choose 

Their  king,  and  swore  him  fealty,  to  win  or  loose. 

3S  Then  made  he  head  against  his  enimies. 
And  Ymner  slew  of  Logris  miscreate  ; 
Tiien  liuddoc  and  proud  Stater,  both  allyes, 
Tliis  of  Albany  newly  nominate. 
And  that  of  Cambry  king  confirmed  late. 
He  overthrew  through  his  owne  valiaunce  ; 
Whose  countx'ies  he  redus'd  to  quiet  state, 
And  sliortly  brought  to  civile  governaunce. 

Now  one,  which  earst  were  many  made  through  vari- 
aunce. 

39  Then  made  lie  sacred  lawes,  which  some  men  say 
Were  unto  him  reveald  in  vision ; 
By  which  he  freed  the  travellers  high-way, 
The  churches  part,  and  ploughmans  portion, 
Restraining  stealth  and  strong  extortion; 
The  gratious  Numa  of  great  Britany  : 
For,  till  his  dayes,  the  chiefe  dominion 
By  strength  was  wielded  without  poUicy  : 

Therefore  he  first  wore  crowne  of  gold  for  dignity. 

1  Stressed,  diitrcssed.  2  Loose,  scattered. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X.  91 

40  Donwallo  dyde,  (for  what  may  live  for  ay  ?) 
And  left  two  sonnes,  of  pearelesse  prowesse  both, 
That  sacked  Rome  too  dearely  did  assay, 

The  recompence  of  their  periured  oth  ; 

And  ransackt  Greece  wel  tryde,  when  they  were 

wroth ; 
Besides  subiected  France  and  Germany, 
Which  yet  their  praises  speake,  all  be  they  loth, 
And  inly  tremble  at  the  memory 
Of  Brennus  and  Belinus,  kinges  of  Britany. 

41  Next  them  did  Gurgiunt,  great  Belinus  sonne, 
In  rule  succeede,  and  eke  in  fathers  praise  ; 

He  Easterland  subdewd,  and  Denmarke  wonne, 
And  of  them  both  did  foy  ^  and  tribute  raise, 
The  which  was  dew  in  his  dead  fathers  dales : 
He  also  gave  to  fugitives  of  Spayne, 
Whom  he  at  sea  found  wandriiig  from  their  waies, 
A  seate  in  Ireland  safely  to  remayne, 
Which  they  should  hold  of  him  as  subiect  to  Britayne. 

12  After  him  raigned  Guitheline  his  hayre, 
The  iustest  and  trewest  in  his  daies, 
Who  had  to  wife  Dame  Mertia  the  fayre, 
A  woman  worthy  of  immortall  praise, 
Which  for  this  realme  found  ^  many  goodly  layes,* 

1  Foy,  i.  e.  money  paid  as  sign  of  fidelity. 

2  Found,  devised.  3  Layes,  laws. 

XL.  3.  —  I.e.  Rome  made  proof  of  tlieir  prowess  to  her  cost. 
riie  Romans  swore  fealty  to  the  British  kings,  and  then  treacher- 
ously attempted  to  destroy  them;  for  which  the  brothers  sacked 
the  city.  This  Brennus  is  meant  to  be  the  same  person  as  the  an- 
tagonist of  Camillus.     C. 


92  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  wholesome  statutes  to  her  husband  bnmght. 
Her  many  deemd  to  have  beene  of  the  Fayes, 
As  was  Aegerie  that  Numa  tought: 
Those  yet  of  her  be  Mertian  hiwes  both  nara'd  and 
thought. 

43  Her  Sonne  Sisillus  after  her  did  rayne  ; 
And  then  Kimarus  ;  and  then  Danius  : 

Next  whom  Morindus  did  the  crowne  sustayne ; 
Who,  had  he  not  with  wi-ath  outrageous 
And  cvuell  rancour  dim'd  his  valorous 
And  miglitie  deedes,  should  matched  have  the  best: 
As  well  in  that  same  field  victorious 
Against  the  forreine  Morands  ^  he  exprest ; 
Yet  lives  his  memorie,  though  carcas  sleepe  in  rest. 

44  Five  sonnes  he  left  begotten  of  one  wife, 
All  which  successively  by  turnes  did  rayne: 
First  Gorboman,  a  man  of  vertuous  life  ; 
Next  Archigald,  who  for  his  proud  disdayne 
Deposed  was  from  princedome  soverayne, 
And  pitteous  Elidure  [)ut  in  his  sted ; 

Who  shortly  it  to  him  restord  agayne, 
Till  by  his  death  he  it  recovered ; 
But  Peridure  and  Vijient  him  disthronized. 


o^ 


15  In  wretched  prison  long  he  did  remaine, 
Till  they  out-raigned  had  their  utmost  date, 
And  then  therein  reseized^  was  againe, 
And  ruled  long  with  honorable  state, 

1  Moranrls,  people  of  the  nortl  west  coast  of  France. 

2  Beseizcd,  reseated. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X.  93 

Till  he  surrendred  realme  and  life  to  fate. 
Then  all  the  sonnes  of  these  five  brethren  raynd 
By  dew  successe,'  and  all  their  nephewes^  late; 
Even  thrise  eleven  descents  the  crowne  retaynd. 
Till  aged  Hely  by  dew  heritage  it  gaynd. 

46  He  had  two  sonnes,  whose  eldest,  called  Lud, 
Left  of  his  life  most  famous  memory, 

And  endlesse  moniments  of  his  "reat  good : 
The  ruin'd  wals  he  did  reajdifye^ 
Of  Troynovaut,^  gainst  force  of  enimy. 
And  built  that  gate  which  of  his  name  is  hight, 
By  which  he  lyes  entombed  solemnly  : 
He  left  two  sonnes,  too  young  to  rule  aright, 
Androgeus  and  Tenantius,  pictures  of  his  might. 

47  Whilst  they  were  young,  Cassibalane  their  eme'^ 
Was  by  the  people  chosen  in  their  sted. 

Who  on  him  tooke  the  roiall  diademe. 
And  goodly  well  long  time  it  governed  ; 
Till  the  prowde  Romanes  him  disquieted, 
And  warlike  CiBsar,  tempted  with  the  name 
Of  this  sweet  island  never  conquered, 
And  envying  the  Britons  blazed  fame, 
(0  hideous  hunger  of  dominion  !)  hether  came. 

1  Successe,  succession.  ■*  Troynovant,  London. 

■■2  Nejjliewes,  descendants.  6  £}:ie^  uncle. 

8  JieiBdifye,  rebuild. 


XLVIl.  1. —  Cassibnlane.]  Caswallon,  who  made  a  brave  re- 
sistance to  Caesar,  but  was  obliged  at  last  to  purchase  the  evacua- 
tion of  Britain  by  the  Romans  at  the  price  of  a  nominal  submis- 
sion.    C. 


94  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

48  Yet  twise  they  were  repulsed  backe  againe, 
And  twise  renforst  backe  to  their  ships  to  fly ; 
The  whiles  with  blood  they  all  the  shore  did  staine, 
And  the  gray  ocean  into  purple  dy  : 

Ne  had  they  footing  found  at  last  perdie, 
Had  not  Androgeus,  false  to  native  soyle, 
And  envious  of  uncles  soveraintie, 
Betrayd  his  countrey  unto  forreine  spoyle. 
Nought  els  but  treason  from  the  first  this  land  did 
foy  le ! 

49  So  by  him  Caesar  got  the  victory, 

Through  great  bloodshed  and  many  a  sad  assay, 
In  which  himselfe  was  charged  heavily 
Of  hardy  Nennius,  whom  he  yet  did  slay, 
But  lost  his  sword,  yet  to  be  scene  this  day. 
Thenceforth  this  land  was  tributarie  made 
T'  ambitious  Rome,  and  did  their  rule  obay, 
Till  Arthur  all  that  reckoning  defrayd  : 
Yet  oft  the  Briton  kings  against  them  strongly  swayd 

50  Next  him  Tenantius  raignd  ;  then  Kimbeline, 
What  time  th'  Eternall  Lord  in  fleshly  slime 
Enwombed  was,  from  wretched  Adams  line 
To  purge  away  the  guilt  of  sinfull  crime. 

0  ioyous  memorie  of  happy  time, 
Tliat  heavenly  grace  so  plenteously  displayd ! 
O  too  high  ditty  for  my  simple  rime !  — 
Soone  after  this  the  Romanes  him  warrayd ; 
For  that  their  tribute  he  refusd  to  let  be  payd. 


L    1.  — Kimbeline.]     Tliis  is  Slmkespeiire's  Cyinbeline.    H. 


BOOK    11.       CANTO    X.  95 

61  Good  Claudius,  that  next  was  emperour, 

An  army  brought,  and  with  him  batteile  fought, 

In  which  the  king  was  by  a  treachetour^ 

Disguised  slaine,  ere  any  thereof  thought : 

Yet  ceased  not  the  bloody  fight  for  ought : 

For  Arvirage  his  brothers  place  supjilyde 

Both  in  his  armes  and  crowne,  and  by  that  draught  ^ 

Did  drive  the  Romanes  to  the  weaker  syde, 

That  they  to  peace  agreed.     So  all  was  pacify de. 

5-2  Was  never  king  more  highly  magnifide, 
Nor  dredd  of  Romanes,  then  was  Arvirage ; 
For  which  the  emperour  to  him  allide 
His  daughter  Genuiss'  in  marriage  : 
Yet  shortly  he  renounst  the  vassallage 
Of  Rome  againe,  who  hether  hastly  sent 
Vespasian,  that  with  great  spoile  and  rage 
Forwasted^  all,  till  Genuissa  gent^ 

Persuaded  him  to  ceasse,  and  her  lord  to  relent. 

83  He  dide  ;  and  him  succeeded  Marius, 
Who  ioyd  his  dayes  in  great  tranquillity. 
Then  Coyll ;  and  after  him  good  Lucius, 
That  first  received  Christianity, 
The  sacred  pledge  of  Christes  Evangely. 
Yet  true  it  is,  that  long  before  that  day 

1  Treachetour,  traitor.  3  Fwwnsted,  laid  w&ste. 

2  Draught,  device.  *  Gent,  noble. 

LI.  3.  —  The  king  here  should  be  Guiderius,  not  Kimbeliiie.    C. 

LIT.  7.  —  Vespasian  fought  thirty  battles  in  Britain,  subdued 
the  Isle  of  Wight,  overcame  two  nations,  and  took  twenty 
places.    C. 


96  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Hither  came  Toseph  of  Arimathy, 
Who  brought  with  him  the  Holy  Grayle,  (they  say,) 
And  preacht  the  truth  ;  but  since  it  greatly  did  decay. 

54  This  good  king  shoitly  without  issew  dide, 
Whereof  great  trouble  in  the  kingdorae  grew, 
That  did  herselfe  in  sondry  parts  divide, 
And  with  her  powre  her  owne  selfe  overthrew, 
Whilest  Romanes  daily  did  the  weake  subdew : 
Which  seeing,  stout  Bunduca  up  arose, 
And,  taking  armes,  the  Britons  to  her  drew  ; 
With  whom  she  marched  streight  against  her  foes, 

And  them  unwares  besides  the  Severne  did  enclose. 

56  There  she  with  them  a  cruell  batteill  tryde, 
Not  with  so  good  successe  as  shee  deserv'd, 
By  reason  that  the  captaines  on  her  syde, 
Corrupted  by  Paulinus,  from  her  swerv'd  : 
Yet,  such  as  were  through  former  flight  preserv'd 
Gathering  againe,  her  host  she  did  renew. 
And  with  fresh  corage  on  the  victor  serv'd  : 
But  being  all  defeated,  save  a  few, 

Rather  then  fly,  or  be  captiv'd,  herselfe  she  slew. 

66  O  famous  moninient  of  womens  prayse ! 
Matchable  either  to  Semirarais, 

LIIl.  8. —  The  Holy  Grayle.]  The  dish  in  which  the  paschal 
lamb  was  jjlacod  at  the  Las^t  Supper  (Saint  Graal).  It  was  cnr- 
rieii  to  Kiighmd'by  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  and  its  subsequent  loss 
occasioned  the  famous  qiiest  for  its  recovery.  At  the  beginning 
of  the  twelftli  century  it  appeared  in  Genoa,  and  there  it  was  pre- 
serveil  until  Napoleon  transported  it  to  Paris.  For  an  account  of 
the  word  (p-actl,  see  Diez,  Etym.  Wilrterb.,  p.  647.  Tlie  mistaken 
derivation  from  sang  Wei  is  still  given  in  books.     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X.  97 

Whom  antique  history  so  high  doth  rayse, 
Or  to  Hypsiphil',  or  to  Thomiris  : 
Her  host  two  hundred  thousand  numbred  is ; 
"Who,  wliiles  good  fortune  favoured  her  might, 
Triumphed  oft  against  her  enemis  ; 
And  yet,  though  overcome  in  haplesse  fight, 
Shee  triumphed  on  death,  in  enemies  despight. 

67  Her  reliques  Fulgent  having  gathei*ed, 

Fought  with  Severus,  and  him  overthrew ; 

Yet  in  the  chace  was  slaine  of  them  that  fled ; 

So  made  them  victors  whome  he  did  subdew. 

Then  gan  Carausius  tirannize  anew, 

And  gainst  the  Romanes  bent  their  proper*  powre; 

But  him  Allectus  treacherously  slew, 

And  tooke  on  him  the  robe  of  emperoure  : 
Nath'lesse  the  same  enioyed  but  short  happy  howre  : 

1  Their  proper,  their  own. 


LVI.  4. —  Or  to  EypsipJiil' ,  or  to  Thomiris.]  Hypsiphile  Vf^%  a 
queen  of  Lemnos,  who  headed  an  attack  made  by  her  female 
subjects  upon  their  male  relations.  —  Thomiris  or  Tomyiis  was 
a  queen  of  the  Massagetse,  who,  according  to  Herodotus,  defeated 
and  slew  Cjtus  the  Great.    H. 

LVII.  1.  —  Fulgent.]  Fulgentius  is  said  to  be  the  name  of  a 
Caledonian  chief,  who  headed  the  armies  which  the  Emperor  Se- 
verus met  in  his  march  into  Caledonia.  But  this  was  a  hundred 
and  fifty  years  after  the  time  of  Boadicea.    H. 

LVII.  5.  —  Carausius.]  Carausius,  a  Menapian,  was  intrusted 
with  extensive  powers,  bj' the  Emperors  Diocletian  and  Maximian, 
for  the  defence  of  the  northern  coasts  of  the  Empire.  He  entered 
into  an  alliance  with  the  Saxon  pirates,  renounced  his  allegiance 
to  Rome,  and  assumed  the  imperial  title  in  Britain.     He  was  mur- 

VOL.   II.  7 


98  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

58  For  Asclepiodate  him  overcame, 

And  left  inglorious  on  the  vanquisht  playiie, 
Without  or  robe  or  rag  to  hide  his  shame  : 
Then  afterwards  he  in  his  stead  did  raigne ; 
But  shortly  was  by  Coyll  in  batteill  slaine  : 
Who  after  long  debate,  since  Lucies  tyme, 
Was  of  the  Britons  first  crownd  soveraine. 
Then  gan  this  realme  renew  her  passed  prime : 
He  of  his  name  Coylchester  built  of  stone  and  hme. 

59  Which  when  the  Romanes  heard,  they  hether  sent 
Constantius,  a  man  of  mickle  might, 

With  whonie  King  Coyll  made  an  agreement, 
And  to  him  gave  for  wife  his  daughter  bi'ight, 
Fayre  Helena,  the  fairest  living  wight, 
Who  in  all  godly  thewes  ^  and  goodly  praise 
Did  far  excell,  but  was  most  famous  hight^ 
For  ski]  in  musicke  of  all  in  her  daies, 
As  well  in  curious  instruments  as  cunning  laies : 

60  Of  whom  he  did  great  Constantine  begett, 
Who  afterward  was  emperour  of  Rome ; 

To  which  whiles  absent  he  his  mind  did  sett, 

1  Thewes,  qualities.  2  jJight,  called. 

dered  in  293,  by  Allectus,  who  usurped  his  empire,  but  was  de 
feated  by  the  Romans  after  a  reign  of  three  years.     C. 

LIX.  2. —  Constantlm.]  Constantius  Chlonis,  the  father  of 
Constantine,  died  at  York  (then  Eboracum),  A.  D.  306.  His 
wife  (the  mother  of  Constantine)  was  named  Helena,  and  was,  ac- 
cording to  Geoffrey,  the  daughter  of  "  King  Cole." 

LX.,  LXI. —  Octavius,  according  to  the  legend,  was  a  Welsh 
prince.    Traherne  was  one  of  the  Empress  Helena's  three  uncles, 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X.  9^ 

Octavius  here  lept  into  his  roome, 
And  it  usurped  by  unrighteous  doome  : 
But  he  his  title  iustifide  by  might, 
Slaying  Traherne,  and  having  overcome 
The  Romane  legion  in  dreadful!  fight : 
So  settled  he  his  kingdome,  and  confirmd  his  right . 

61  But,  wanting  yssew  male,  his  daughter  deare 

He  gave  in  wedlocke  to  Maximian, 

And  him  with  her  made  of  his  kingdome  heyre,. 

Who  soone  by  meanes  thereof  the  empire  wan. 

Till  murdred  by  the  freends  of  Gratian. 

Then  gan  the  Hunnes  and  Picts  invade  this  land^ 

Dui'ing  the  raigne  of  Maximinian  ; 

Wlio  dying  left  none  heire  them  to  withstand ;. 
But  that  they  overran  all  parts  with  easy  hand. 

6-2  The  weary  Britons,  whose  war-hable  ^  youth- 
Was  by  Maximian  lately  ledd  away, 
With  wi'etched  miseryes  and  woefull  ruth 
Were  to  those  Pagans  made  an  open  pray. 
And  daily  spectacle  of  sad  decay : 
Whome  Romane  warres,  which  now  fowr  hundred 

yeares 
And  more  had  wast-id,  could  no  whit  dismay ; 


1  War-kaJjle,  able  to  serve  in  war. 


and  Maximian,  or  JIaximus,  was   her  cousin,   and   tlie  son   of 
Trahernc's  brother.     Maximinian  (LXI.  7)    seems  to  be  put  by 
oversiglit  for  Valentinian.     C. 
LXII.  2.  —  Lecldaway]     For  the  conquest  of  Annorica.     C. 


100  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Til,  by  consent  of  Commons  and  of  Peares, 
They  crownd  tlie   second   Constantine    with  ioyous 
teares : 

63  Who  having  oft  in  batteill  vanquished 

Those  spoylefuU  Picts,  and  swarming  Easterlings, 
Long  time  in  peace  his  realme  established, 
Yet  oft  annoyd  with  sondry  bordragings  ^ 
Of  neighbour  Scots,  and  forrein  scatterhngs  ^ 
"With  which  the  world  did  in  those  dayes  abound : 
Which  to  outbarre,  with  painefull  pyonings* 
From  sea  to  sea  he  heapt  a  mighty  mound. 
Which   from  Alcluid    to   Panwelt   did   that   border 
bownd. 

64  Three  sonnes  he  dying  left,  all  under  age  ; 
By  meanes  whereof  their  uncle  Vortigere 
Usurpt  the  crowne  during  their  pupillage ; 
Which  th'  infants  tutors  gathering  to  feare,* 
Them  closely  into  Armorick  did  beare : 

For  di-ead  of  whom,  and  for  those  Picts  annoyes, 
He  sent  to  Germany  straunge  aid  to  reare  ^  ; 
From  whence  eftsoones  arrived  here  three  hoyes ' 
Of  Saxons,  whom  he  for  his  safety  imployes. 

1  Bordragings,  border  forays.  ^  Reare,  raise. 

2  Scatterlings,  vagriints.  6  Hoyes,  boats. 
8  Pyonings,  works  of  pioneers. 

4  Gathenng  to  feare,  considering  a  cause  of  alarm. 

LXII.  9.  —  Tlie  second  Constantine.']  A  common  soldier  of  the 
name  of  Constantine  was  made  Emperor  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Sfth  century.     II. 

LXIII.  2.  —  Easterlings.']     The  Nortliern  pirates. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X.  101 

05  Two  brethren  were  their  capitayns,  which  hight 
Hengist  and  Horsus,  well  approv'd  in  warre, 
And  both  of  them  men  of  renowmed  might ; 
Who  making  vantage  of  their  civile  iarre, 
And  of  those  forreyners  which  came  from  farre, 
Grew  great,  and  got  large  portions  of  land, 
That  in  the  realme  ere  long  they  stronger  arre 
Then    they    which   sought   at  first  their   helping 
hand, 

And  Vortiger  have  forst  the  kingdome  to  aband.* 

66  But,  by  the  helpe  of  Vortimere  his  sonne. 
He  is  againe  unto  his  rule  restord  ; 

And  Hengist,  seeming  sad  for  that  was  donne, 
Received  is  to  grace  and  new  accord. 
Through  his  faire  daughters  face  and  flattring  word. 
Soone  after  which,  three  hundred  lords  he  slew 
Of  British  blood,  all  sitting  at  his  bord  ; 
Whose  dolefull  moniments  who  list  to  rew,^ 
Th'  eternall  mai'ks  of  treason  may  at  Stonheng  vew. 

67  By  this  the  sonnes  of  Constantine,  which  fled, 
Ambrose  and  Uther,  did  ripe  yeares  attayne. 
And,  here  arriving,  strongly  challenged 

The  crowne  which  Vortiger  did  long  detayne  ; 
Who,  flying  from  his  guilt,  by  them  was  slayne : 
And  Hengist  eke  soone  brought  to  shamefuU  death. 
Thenceforth  Aurelius  peaceably  did  rayne, 
Till  that  through  poyson  stopped  was  his  breath ; 
So  now  entombed  lies  at  Stoneheng  by  the  heath. 

1  Aland,  abandon.  2  j^igt  to  reiv,  wishes  to  pity. 


102  THE    FAERIE    QTJEENE. 

68  After  liira  Utlier,  which  Pendi-agon  hight, 

Succeeding There  abruptly  it  did  end, 

Without  full  point,  or  other  cesure  *  right ; 
As  if  the  rest  some  wicked  hand  did  reud, 
Or  th'  author  selfe  could  not  at  least  attend 
To  finish  it :  that  so  untimely  breach 

The  Prince  himselfe  halfe  seemed  to  offend ; 
Yet  secret  pleasure  did  offence  empeach,^ 
And  wonder  of  antiquity  long  stopt  his  speach. 

69  At  last,  quite  ravisht  with  delight  to  heare 
The  royall  ofspring  ^  of  his  native  land, 

Cryde  out :  "  Deare  Countrey  !  0  how  dearely  deare 
Ought  thy  remembraunce  and  perpetual  band 
Be  to  thy  foster  childe,  that  from  thy  hand 
Did  commun  breath  and  nouriture  receave ! 
How  brutish  is  it  not  to  understand 
How  much  to  her  we  owe,  that  all  us  gave  ; 
That  gave  unto  us  all  whatever  good  we  have ! " 

70  But  Guyon  all  this  while  his  booke  did  read, 
Ne  yet  has  ended :   for  it  was  a  great 

And  ample  volume,  that  doth  far  excead 
My  leasure  so  long  leaves  here  to  repeat : 
It  told  how  first  Prometheus  did  create 


1  Cesure,  stop.  3  Ofspnng,  origin,  derivation. 

2  Empeach,  prevent. 

LXVIII.  2.  —  There  abruptly  it  did  end.]  Tlie  liistory  is 
brought  down  to  Uther  Pendragon,  tho  father  of  Arthur,  and 
\here  ends.  Prince  Arthur  was  at  that  time  ignorant  of  his 
parentage.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    X.  103 

A  man,  of  many  parts  from  beasts  deryv'd, 
And  then  stole  fire  from  heven  to  animate 
His  worke,  for  which  he  was  by  love  depryv'd 
Of  life  himself,  and  hart-strings  of  an  aegle  ry  v'd. 

71  That  man  so  made  he  called  Elfe,  to  weet 
Quick,  the  first  author  of  all  Elfin  kynd ; 

Who,  wandring  through  the  world  with  wearie  feet, 
Did  in  the  gardins  of  Adonis  fynd 
A  goodly  creature,  whom  he  deemd  in  mynd 
To  be  no  earthly  wight,  but  either  spright. 
Or  angell,  th'  authour  of  all  woman  kynd  ; 
Therefore  a  Fay  he  her  according  hight. 
Of  whom  all  Faryes  spring,  and  fetch  their  lignage 
right. 

72  Of  these  a  mighty  people  shortly  grew. 

And  puissant  kinges  which  all  the  world  warrayd,^ 
And  to  themselves  all  nations  did  subdew : 
The  first  and  eldest,  which  that  scepter  swayd, 
Was  Elfin  :  him  all  India  obayd, 
And  all  that  now  America  men  call : 
Next  him  was  noble  Elfinan,  who  laid 
Cleopolis  foundation  first  of  all : 
But  Elfihne  enclosd  it  with  a  golden  waU. 

73  His  Sonne  was  Elfinell,  who  overcame 
The  wicked  Gobbelines  "^  in  bloody  field  : 
But  Elfa)it  was  of  most  renowmed  fame, 
Who  all  of  christall  did  Panthea  build  : 

I  Wavra^jd,  warred  upon.  2  Gobbelines,  goblins. 


104  THE    5AER1E    QUEENE. 

Then  Elfar,  who  two  brethren  gyauntes  kild, 
The  one  of  which  had  two  heades,  tli'  other  three: 
Then  Elfinor,  who  was  in  magick  skild ; 
He  built  by  art  upon  the  glassy  see 
A  bridge  of  bras,  whose  sound  hevens  thunder  seem'd 
to  bee. 

74  He  left  three  sonnes,  the  which  in  order  raynd, 
And  all  their  ofspring,  in  their  dew  descents ; 
Even  seven  hundred  princes,  which  maintaynd 
"With  mightie  deedes  their  sondry  governments  : 
That  were  too  long  their  infinite  contents 
Here  to  record,  ne  much  materiall : 

Yet  should  they  be  most  famous  moniments, 
And  brave  ensample,  both  of  martiall 
And  civil  rule,  to  kinges  and  states  imperiall. 

75  After  all  these  Elficleos  did  rayne, 
The  wise  Elficleos  in  great  maiestie. 
Who  mightily  that  scepter  did  sustayne, 
And  with  rich  spoyles  and  famous  victorie 
Did  high  advaunce  the  crowne  of  Faery  : 
He  left  two  sonnes,  of  which  fuire  Elferon, 
The  eldest  brother,  did  untimely  dy ; 
Whose  emptie  place  the  mightie  Oberon 

Doubly  supplide,  in  spousall  and  dominion. 


LXXV.  1.  — Elficleos.]  In  this  and  the  succeeding  stanza 
there  are  obvious  allusions  to  history.  Elfii-leos  is  Henry  VII. ; 
Elferon  is  Prince  Arthur,  his  son,  who  died  young;  Oberon  is 
Henry  VIII.,  who  married  liis  brother's  betrotlied  bride;  and  Tana- 
quill,  or  Gloriana,  iiis  daughter,  is  Queen  Elizabeth.  It  will  be 
Observed  that  no  mention  is  made  of  Edward  VI.  or  of  Mary.    H 


BOOK    II.       CAXTO    X.  105 

76  Great  was  his  power  and  glorie  over  all 
Which,  him  before,  that  saci'ed  seate  did  fill, 
That  yet  remaines  his  wide  memoriall : 

He  dying  left  the  fairest  Tanaquill, 
Him  to  succeede  therein,  by  his  last  will : 
Fairer  and  nobler  liveth  none  this  howre, 
Ne  like  in  grace,  ne  like  in  learned  skill ; 
Therefore  they  Glorian  call  that  glorious  flowre  : 
Long  mayst  thou,   Glorian,  live   in  glory  and  great 
powre  ! 

77  Beguyld  thus  with  delight  of  novelties, 
And  naturall  desire  of  countryes  state. 
So  long  they  redd  in  those  antiquities, 

That  how  the  time  was  fled  they  quite  forgate ; 
TiU  gentle  Alma,  seeing  it  so  late. 
Perforce  their  studies  broke,  and  them  besought 
To  thinke  how  supper  did  them  long  awaite  : 
So  halfe  unwilling  from  their  bookes  them  brought. 
And  fayrely  feasted  as  so  noble  knightes  she  ought. 


l^)6  THE    FAERIE    QUEENB. 


CANTO   XI. 

The  Enimies  of  Temperauiice 

Besiege  her  dwelling  place; 
Prince  Arthure  them  repelles,  and  fowle 

Maleger  doth  deface. 

1  What  warre  so  cruel,  or  what  siege  so  sore, 
As  that,  which  strong  affections  ^  doe  apply 
A-niinst  the  forte  of  Reason  evermore, 

To  hring  the  sowle  into  captivity  ! 
Their  force  is  fiercer  through  infirmity 
Of  the  fraile  flesh,  relenting  to  their  rage  ; 
And  exercise  most  bitter  tyranny 
Upon  the  partes,  brought  into  their  bondage : 
No  wretchednesse  is  like  to  sinfull  vellenage.^ 

2  But  in  a  body  which  doth  freely  yeeld 
His  partes  to  Reasons  rule  obedient, 

And  letteth  her,  that  ought,  the  scepter  weeld, 
All  happy  peace  and  goodly  government 
Is  setled  there  in  sure  establishment. 
There  Alma,  like  a  Virgin  Qiieene  most  briglit, 
Doth  florisli  in  all  beautie  excellent ; 
And  to  her  guestes  doth  bounteous  banket  dight,* 
Attempred  goodly  well  for  health  and  for  deUght. 

1  Affections,  passions.  '  Dif/ht,  prepare. 

2  Velknai/e,  servitude. 


BOOK    II.       CAxVTO    XI.  107 

s  Early,  before  the  Morne  with  cremosin  ^  ray 
The  windowes  of  bright  heaven  opened  had, 
Through  wliich  into  the  world  the  dawning  day 
Might  looke,  that  maketh  every  creature  glad, 
Uprose  Sir  Guyon  in  bright  armour  clad, 
And  to  his  purposd  iourney  him  prepar'd : 
With  him  the  Palmer  eke  in  habit  sad  ^ 
Himselfe  addrest  to  that  adventure  hard : 
So  to  the  rivers  syde  they  both  together  far'd : 

4  Where  them  awaited  ready  at  the  ford 
The  Ferriman,  as  Alma  had  behight,^ 
With  his  well-rigged  bote.     They  goe  abord. 
And  he  eftsoones  *  gan  launch  his  barke  ibrthright. 
Ere  long  they  rowed  were  quite  out  of  sight, 
And  fast  the  land  behynd  them  fled  away. 

But  let  them  pas,  wliiles  winde  and  wether  right 
Doe  serve  their  turnes  :  here  I  a  while  must  stay, 
To  see  a  cruell  fight  doen  by  the  Prince  this  day. 

5  For,  all  so  soone  as  Guyon  thence  was  gon 
Upon  his  voyage  with  his  trustie  guyde. 
That  wicked  band  of  Villeins  fresh  begon 
That  castle  to  assaile  on  every  side. 

And  lay  strong  siege  about  it  far  and  wyde. 
So  huge  and  infinite  their  numbers  were, 
That  all  the  land  they  under  them  did  hyde ; 
So  fowle  and  ugly,  that  exceeding  feare 
Their  visages  imprest,  when  they  approched  neare. 


I  Q  emosin,  crimson.  8  Behiyht,  commanded. 

8  Sad,  grave.  *  Eftauonts,  immediately. 


108  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

6  Them  ill  twelve  troupes  their  captein  did  dispart, 
And  round  about  in  fittest  steades  ^  did  place, 
Where  each  might  best  offend  his  proper  part, 
And  his  contrary  obiect  most  deface, 

As  every  one  seera'd  meetest  in  that  cace. 
Seven  of  the  same  against  the  castle  gate 
In  strong  entrenchments  he  did  closely  place. 
Which  with  incessaunt  force  and  endlesse  hate 
They  battred  day  and  night,  and  enti-aunce  did  awate 

7  The  other  five,  five  sondry  wayes  he  sett 
Against  the  five  great  bulwarkes  of  that  pj^le, 
And  unto  each  a  bulwarke  did  arrett,^ 

T'  assayle  with  open  force  or  hidden  guyle, 
In  hope  thereof  to  win  victorious  spoile. 
1'hey  all  that  charge  did  fervently  apply  ^ 
With  greedie  malice  and  importune  toyle. 
And  planted  there  their  huge  artillery. 
With  which  they  dayly  made  most  dreadtull  battery. 

8  The  first  troupe  was  a  monstrous  rablement 

Of  fowle  misshapen  wightes,  of  which  some  were 
Headed  like  owles,  with  beckes  *  uncomely  bent ; 
Others  like  dogs  ;  others  like  gryphons  dreare; 
And  some  had  wings,  and  some  had  clawes  to  teare  " 
And  every  one  of  them  had  lynces  eyes ; 

1  Sleadcs,  places.  8  Apply,  employ  themselves  with. 

2  Arrett,  appoint.  *  Beckes,  beaks. 


VI.  6.  —  Seven,  &c.]  These  represent  the  seven  deadly  sms, 
and  the  Jive  mentioned  in  the  next  stanza,  the  vices  that  attack 
the  senses.     Upton. 


BOOK    U.       CANTO    XI.  109 

And  every  one  did  bow  and  arrowes  beave : 
All  those  were  lawlesse  Lustes,  corrupt  Envyos, 
A.nd  covetous  Aspects/  all  cruel  enimyes. 

9  Those  same  against  the  Bulwarke  of  the  Sight 
Did  lay  strong  siege  and  battailous  assault, 
Ne  once  did  yield  it  respitt  day  nor  night ; 
But  soone  as  Titan  gan  his  head  exault, 
And  soone  againe  as  he  his  hght  vvithhault,^ 
Their  wicked  engins  they  against  it  bent ; 
That  is,  each  thing  by  which  the  eyes  may  fault : 
But  two  then  all  more  huge  and  violent, 

Beautie    and    Money,    they    that    Bulv/arke    sorely 
rent. 

10  The  second  Bulwarke  was  the  Hearing  Sence, 
Gainst  which  the  second  troupe  assignment*  makes  ; 
Deformed  creatures,  in  straunge  difference : 
Some  having  heads  like  harts,  some  like  to  snakes. 
Some  like  wilde  bores  late  rouzd  out  of  the  brakes  ; 
Slaunderous  Re.proches,  and  fowle  Infamies, 
Leasinges,  Backbytingcs,  and  vaine-gloriousCrakes,* 
Bad  Counsels,  Prayscs,  and  false  Flatteries  : 

All  those  a'jainst  that  fort  did  bend  their  batteries. 


o 


II  Likewisti  that  same  third  Fort,  that  is  the  Smell, 
Of  that  third  troupe  was  cruelly  assayd  ; 
Whose   hideou3    shapes   were  like  to   feendes   of 
hell, 


1  Aspe.ts,  looks.  8  Assigmnent,  disposition. 

2  WiUihault,  withheld.  ^  Crakes,  boastings. 


110  THE    FAKRIE    QUEEN E. 

Some  like  to  houndes,  some  like  to  apes,  dismayd* ; 
Some,  like  to  puttockes,^  all  in  plumes  arajd ; 
All  sliap't  according^  their  conditions^  : 
For,  by  those  ugly  formes  weren  pourtrayd 
Foolish  Delights,  and  fond  Abusions,^ 
Which  doe  that  sence  besiege  with  light  illusions. 

12  And  that  fourth  band  which  cruell  battry  bent 
Against  the  fourth  Bulwarke,  that  is  the  Taste, 
Was,  as  the  rest,  a  grysie  rablement ; 

Some  mouth'd  like  greedy  oystriges  ^ ;  some  faste ' 
Like  loathly  toades  ;  some  fashioned  in  the  waste 
Like  swine  :  for  so  deformd  is  Luxury, 
Surfeat,  Misdiet,  and  unthriftie  Waste, 
Vaine  Feastes,  and  ydle  Superfluity  : 
All  those  this  sences  fort  assayle  incessantly. 

13  But  the  fift  troupe,  most  horrible  of  hew 
And  ferce  of  force,  is  dreadfull  to  report ; 

For  some  like  snailes,  some  did  like  spyders  shew. 
And  some  like  ugly  urchins  *  thick  and  short : 
Cruelly  they  assayed  that  fift  Fort, 
Armed  with  dartes  of  sensuall  Delight, 


1  Dismnijrl,  mismade  (  ?  }.  s  Abusions,  abuses. 

2  Putioikes,  kites.  6  Oyslriijes,  ostriches. 
8  Aciorilivfj,  according  to.  7  F,(Ue,  faced. 

4  Cwulititms,  (jualities.  8  Urcliins,  liedgeliogs. 


XII.  S.  —  A  rp-ysie  rablement.]  If  we  retain  tliis  reading, 
i/rysie  must  be  explained  flthy.  Hut  the  word  should  probably 
be  grysHe.  (grisly),  for  tlie  fourth  band  was  hidems,  "as  the 
rest.''     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XI.  Ill 

With  stinges  of  carnall  Lust,  and  strong  effort 
Of  feeling  Pleasures,  with  which  day  and  night 
A-gainst  that  same  fift  Bulwarke  they  continued  tight. 

14  Thus  these  twelve  troupes  with  dreadful!  puissaunce 
Against  that  castle  restlesse  siege  did  lay, 

And  evermore  their  hideous  ordinaunce 
Upon  the  bulwarkes  cruelly  did  play, 
That  now  it  gan  to  threaten  neare  decay  ^ : 
And  evermore  their  wicked  Capitayn 
Provoked  them  the  breaches  to  assay, 
Somtimes  with  threats,  somtimes  with  hope  of  gayn, 
Which  by  the  ransack  of  that  peece  -  they  should  at- 
tayn. 

15  On  th'  other  syde,  tli'  asseiged  castles  ward^ 
Their  stedfast  stonds*  did  mightily  maintaine, 
And  many  bold  repulse  and  many  hard 
Atchievement  wrought,  with  perill  and  with  payne, 
That  goodly  frame  from  ruine  to  sustaine  : 

And  those  two  brethren  gyauntes  did  defend 
The  walles  so  stoutly  with  their  sturdie  mayne,^ 
That  never  entraunce  any  durst  pretend. 
But  they  to  direfuU  death  their  groning  ghosts  did 
send. 


1  Decay,  ruin.  *  Stands,  stations. 

2  Peece,  structure,  castle.  5  Mayne,  force. 

3  Ward,  guard. 

XV.  6.  —  Brethren  gyauntes.]  Arthur  and  Gnyon  (not  the 
Squire)  are  intended.  But  Guyon  liad  left  tlie  castic  in  the  morn- 
ing.    C. 


112  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

16  The  noble  virgin,  Ladie  of  the  place, 

Was  much  dismayed  with  that  dreadful  sight, 

For  never  vi-^as  she  in  so  evill  cace  : 

Till  that  the  Prince,  seeing  her  wofull  plight, 

Gan  her  recomfort  from  so  sad  affright, 

Otfring  his  service  and  his  dearest  life 

For  her  defence  against  that  carle  to  fight, 

Which  was  their  chiefe  and  th'  authour  of  that  strife : 

She  him  remercied*  as  the  patrone'"^  of  her  life. 

n  Eftsoones  himselfe  in  glitterand  armes  he  dight, 
And  his  well  proved  weapons  to  him  hent  ^ ; 
So  taking  courteous  conge,*  he  behight^ 
Those  gates  to  be  unbar'd,  and  forth  he  went. 
Fayre  mote  he  thee,^  the  prowest''  and  most  gent' 
That  ever  bi'andished  bright  Steele  on  hye  ! 
Whom  soone  as  that  unruly  rablement 
With  his  gay  Squyre  issewing  did  espye. 

They  reard  a  most  outrageous  dreadfuU  yelling  cry  : 

18  And  therewithal!  attonce  at  him  let  fly 

Their  fluttring  arrowes,  thicke  as  flakes  of  snow, 
And  round  about  him  flocke  impetuously. 
Like  a  great  water-flood,  that,  tombling  low 
From  the  high  mountaines,  threates  to  overflow 
With  suddein  fury  all  the  fertile  playne. 
And  the  sad  husbandmans  long  hope  doth  throw 


1  Remercied,  thanked.  6  Behf/ht,  ordered. 

2  Pttfrone,  defender.  «  3fote  he  thee,  may  he  prosper. 

3  JJmt,  took.  7  Proioest,  bravest. 
^  Conr/6,  leave.  8  Gent,  noble. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XI.  113 

Adowne  the  streame,  and  all  his  vowes  make  vayne; 
Nor  bounds  nor  banks  his  headlong  ruine  may  sustayne. 

19  Upon  his  shield  their  heaped  hayle  he  bore, 
And  with  his  sword  disperst  the  raskalP  flockes, 
Which  fled  asonder,  and  him  fell  before, 
As  withered  leaves  drop  from  their  dryed  stockes. 
When  the  wroth  western  wind  does  reave  ^  their 

locks : 
And  underneath  him  his  courageous  steed, 
The   fierce  Spumador,^   trode    them    downe   like 

docks  * ; 
The  fiei-ce  Spumador  borne  of  heavenly  seed, 

Such  as  Laomedon  of  Phajbus  race  did  breed. 

80  Which  suddeine  horrour  and  confused  cry 

When  as  their  Capteine  heard,  in  haste  he  yode^ 
The  cause  to  weet,  and  fault  to  remedy : 
Upon  a  tygre  swift  and  fierce  he  rode. 
That  as  the  winde  ran  underneath  his  lode, 
Whiles  his  long  legs  nigh  raught^  unto  the  ground: 
Full  large  he  was  of  limbe,  and  shoulders  brode  ; 
But  of  such  subtile  substance  and  unsound. 

That  like  a  ghost  he  seem'd  whose  grave-clothes  were 
unbound : 

21  And  in  his  hand  a  bended  bow  was  seene, 
And  many  arrowes  under  his  right  side. 


1  Raskall,  base,  or  low.  *  Docls,  weeds. 

2  Reave,  strip  off.  ^  Yode,  went. 

8  Sjmmdcla);  i.  e.  Foamer.  ^  Raucjht,  reached. 

VOL.   II.  8 


114  THE    FAERIE    QUEEXE. 

All  deadly  daungerous,  all  cruell  keene, 
Headed  with  flint,  and  fethers  bloody  dide ; 
Such  as  the  Indians  in  their  quivers  hide : 
Those  could  he  well  direct  and  streight  as  line, 
And  bid  them  strike  the  marke  which  he  had  eyde ; 
Ne  was  there  salve,  ne  was  there  medicine. 
That  mote  recurs  their  wounds  ;  so  inly  they  did  tine.^ 

2-2  As  pale  and  wan  as  ashes  was  his  looke : 
His  body  leane  and  meagre  as  a  rake, 
And  skin  all  withered  like  a  dryed  rooke, 
Thereto^  as  cold  and  drery  as  a  snake, 
That  seemd  to  tremble  evermore  and  quake : 
All  in  a  canvas  thin  he  was  bedight,^ 
And  girded  with  a  belt  of  twisted  brake  : 
Upon  his  head  he  wore  an  helmet  light, 

Made   of  a  dead  mans  skull,  that  seemd  a  ghastly 
sight : 

23  Maleger  was  his  name ;  and  after  him 

There  foUow'd  fast  at  hand  two  wicked  hags, 
With  hoary  lockes  all  loose  and  visage  grim ; 
Their  feet  unshod,  their  bodies  wrapt  in  rags, 
And  both  as  swift  on  foot  as  chased  stags ; 
And  yet  the  one  her  other  legge  *  had  lame, 

i  Tine,  bum.  2  Thereto,  besides. 

8  Bedight,  dressed. 

*  Her  other  legge  (a  classic  idiom),  one  of  her  two  legs. 

XXIII.  1. —  Maleger  was  his  name.]  Llaleger  signifies  badly 
diseased;  and  from  this  and  the  description  given  of  him,  he 
seems  to  represent  the  various  diseases  which  an  indulgence  in 
those  "fleshly  lusts  which  war  against  the  soul"  gives  birth  to. 

H 


BOOK    II.       CAATO    XI.  115 

Which  with  a  stafFe  all  full  of  litle  snags 
She  did  support,  and  Impotence  her  name : 
But  th'  other  was  Impatience  arm'd  with  raging  flame. 

24  Soone  as  the  carle  from  far  the  Prince  espyde 
Glistring  in  armes  and  Avarlike  ornament, 
His  beast  he  felly  prickt  on  either  syde, 

And  his  mischievous  bow  full  readie  bent, 
With  which  at  him  a  cruell  shaft  he  sent : 
But  he  was  warie,  and  it  warded  well 
Upon  his  shield,  that  it  no  further  went, 
But  to  the  ground  the  idle  quarrelP  fell : 
Then  he  another  and  another  did  expell. 

25  Which  to  prevent,  the  Prince  his  mortall  speare- 
Soone  to  him  raught,  and  fierce  at  him  did  ride, . 
To  be  avenged  of  that  shot  whyleare  ^  : 

But  he  was  not  so  hardy  to  abide 
That  bitter  stownd,^  but,  tui^ning  quicke  aside 
His  light-foot  beast,  fled  fast  away  for  feare  : 
Whom  to  poursue,  the  Infant*  after  hide 
So  fast  as  his  good  courser  could  him  beare  ; 
But  labour  lost  it  was  to  weene  approch  him  neare. 

26  For  as  the  winged  wind  his  tigre  fled. 
That  vew  of  eye  coidd  scarse  him  overtake, 

Ne  scarse  his  feet  on  ground  were  seene  to  tred  ; 
Through  hils  and  dales  he  speedy  way  did  make, 
Ne  hedge  ne  ditch  his  readie  passage  brake, 


1  Quarrell,  aiTow.  8  Stc  -^j  moment,  exigency,  peril. 

2  IF/(;y?farc,  just  before.         ■*/»/((«',  youth. 


116  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  in  his  flight  the  Villein  turn'd  his  fane, 
(As  wonts  the  Tartar  by  the  Caspian  lake, 
Whenas  the  Russian  him  in  fight  does  chace,) 
TTnto  his  tygres  taile,  and  shot  at  him  apace. 

97  Apace  he  shot,  and  yet  he  fled  apace, 

Still  as  the  greedy  Knight  nigh  to  him  drew ; 
And  oftentimes  he  would  relent  ^  his  pace. 
That  him  his  foe  more  fiercely  should  poursew: 
But,  when  his  uncouth^  manner  he  did  vew. 
He  gan  avize^  to  follow  him  no  more. 
But  keepe  his  standing,  and  his  shaftes  eschew, 
Untill  he  quite  had  spent  his  perlous'*  store. 

And  then  assayle   him  fresh,  ere  he  could  shift  for 
more. 

29  But  that  lame  Hag,  still  as  abroad  he  strew 
His  wicked  arrowes,  gathered  them  againe, 
And  to  him  brought,  fresh  batteill  to  renew  ; 
Which  he  espying  cast^  her  to  restraine 
From  yielding  succour  to  that  cursed  swaine, 
And  her  attaching  ^  thought  her  hands  to  tye ; 
But,  soone  as  him  dismounted  on  the  plaine 
That  other  Hag  did  far  away  espye 

Binding  her  sister,  she  to  him  ran  hastily ; 

29  And  catching  hold  of  him,  as  downe  he  lent,' 
Him  backeward  overthrew,  and  downe  him  stayd- 

1  Relent,  slacken.  5  fysf,  considered  liow. 

2  Uncoulh,  strange.  6  Attaching,  attacking. 
8  Avize,  bethink.  7  Lent,  stooped. 

*  Perlovs,  perilous.  8  Stayd,  held. 


BOOK   II.      CANTO    XI.  117 

With  their  rude  hancles  and  gryesly  *  graplement : 
Till  that  the  ViUein,  coraraing  to  their  ayd, 
Upon  him  fell,  and  lode  upon  him  layd  : 
Full  litle  wanted,  but  he  had  him  slaine, 
And  of  the  battell  balefuU  end  had  made, 
Had  not  his  gentle  Squire  beheld  his  paine, 
And  comraen  to  his  reskew  ere  his  bitter  bane. 

30  So  greatest  and  most  glorious  thing  on  ground^ 
May  often  need  the  helpe  of  weaker  hand  ; 

So  feeble  is  mans  state,  and  life  unsound, 
That  in  assuraunce  it  may  never  stand, 
Till  it  dissolved  be  from  earthly  band ! 
Proofe  be  thou,  Prince,  the  prowest  man  alyve, 
And  noblest  borne  of  all  in  Britayne  land  ; 
Yet  thee  fierce  Fortune  did  so  nearely^  drive, 
That,  had  not  Grace  thee  blest,  thou  shouldest  not 
survive. 

31  The  Squyre  arriving,  fiercely  in  his  armes 
Snatcht  first  the  one,  and  then  the  other  iade, 
His  chiefest  letts  *  and  authors  of  his  harmes. 
And  them  perforce  witliheld  with  threatned  blade, 
Least  that  his  Lord  they  should  behinde  invade  ; 
The    whiles  the    Prince,    prickt   with    reprochful 

shame. 
As  one  awakte  out  of  long  slombring  shade, 
Revivyng  thought  of  glory  and  of  fame, 
United  all  his  powres  to  purge  himselfe  from  blame- 


1  Gryeshj,  frightful.  8  ^earely,  narrowly. 

*  On  (jround,  on  earth.  *  Letts,  hhulerances. 


118  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

32  Like  as  a  fire,  the  which  in  hollow  cave 
Hath  long  bene  underkept  and  down  supprest, 
With  murmurous  disdayne  doth  inly  rave, 
And  grudge,  in  so  streight  prison  to  be  prest, 
At  last  breakes  forth  with  furious  unrest, 
And  strives  to  mount  unto  his  native  seat ; 
All  that  did  earst  it  hinder  and  molest, 

Yt  now  devoures  with  flames  and  scorching  heat. 
And  carries  into  smoake  with  rage  and  horror  great. 

33  So  mightely  the  Briton  Prince  him  rouzd 
Out  of  his  holde,  and  broke  his  caytive  bands  ; 
And  as  a  beare,  whom  angry  curres  have  touzd,* 
Having  ofF-shakt  them  and  escapt  their  hands, 
Becomes  more  fell,  and  all  that  him  withstands 
Treads  down  and  overthrowes.    Now  had  the  Carle 
Alighted  from  his  tigre,  and  his  hands 
Discharged  of  his  bow  and  deadly  quar'le,^ 

To  seize  upon  his  foe  flatt  lying  on  the  marie. 

34  Which  now  him  turnd  to  disavantage  deare  '  ; 
For  neither  can  he  fly,  nor  other  ^  harme. 

But  trust  unto  his  strengtli  and  manhood  meare, 
Sith  now  he  is  far  fi-om  liis  monstrous  swarme. 
And  of  Ills  weapons  did  himselfe  disarme. 
The  Knight,  yet  wrothfull  for  his  late  disgrace. 
Fiercely  advaunst  his  valorous  right  arme, 
And  him  so  sore  sraott  with  his  yron  mace, 
That  groveling  to  the  ground  he  fell,  and  fild  his  place.* 

1  Touzcl,  worried.  ■*  Olhei;  another  person. 

2  Quar'le,  arrows.         6  Fild  Ids  j'lace,  i.  e.  measured  his  length, 

3  Deare,  grievous. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XI.  119 

85  Wei  weened  hee  that  field  was  then  his  owne, 
And  all  his  labor  brought  to  happy  end ; 
When  suddein  up  the  ViUeine  overthrowne 
Out  of  his  swowne  arose,  fresh  to  contend, 
And  gan  himselfe  to  second  battaill  bend, 
As  hurt  he  had  not  beene.     Thereby  there  lay 
An  huge  great  stone,  which  stood  upon  one  end, 
And  had  not  bene  removed  many  a  day; 

Some  land-marke  seemd  to  bee,  or  signe  of  sundry  way: 

36  The  same  he  snatcht,  and  with  exceeding  sway  * 
Threw  at  his  foe,  who  was  right  well  aware 

To  shonne  the  engin  of  his  meant  decay  ^  ; 
It  booted  not  to  thinke  that  throw  to  beare. 
But  grownd  he  gave,  and  lightly  lept  areare'; 
Efte^  fierce  retourning,  as  a  faulcon  fayre. 
That  once  hath  failed  of  her  souse  full  neare, 
Remounts  againe  into  the  open  ayre, 
And  unto  better  fortune  doth  herselfe  prepayre  : 

37  So  brave  retourning,  with  his  bi-andisht  blade, 
He  to  the  Carle  himselfe  agayn  addrest. 
And  strooke  at  him  so  sternely,  that  he  made 
An  open  passage  through  his  riven  brest, 
That  halfe  the  Steele  behind  his  backe  did  I'est ; 
Which  drawing  backe,  he  looked  evermore 
When  the  hart  blood  should  gush  out  of  his  chest, 
Or  his  dead  corse  should  fall  upon  the  flore ; 

But  his  dead  corse  upon  the  flore  fell  nathemore*: 

1  Swfiy^  powerful  swing.  8  Arear-e,  back. 

2  Mtant  (kcay,  intended  destniction.  *  ^-fte,  asaln. 
6  Nathemore,  none  the  more. 


120  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

38  Ne  di'op  of  blood  appeared  shed  to  bee, 
AlP  were  the  wownd  so  wide  and  vvonderous 
That  through  his  carcas  one  might  plajnly  see. 
Halfe  in  amaze  with  horror  hideous, 

And  halfe  in  rage  to  be  deluded  thus. 

Again   through    both    the    sides    he   strooke    him 

quight, 
That  made  his  spright  to  grone  full  piteous  ; 
Yet  nathemore  forth  fled  his  groning  spright. 
But  freshly,  as  at  first,  prepard  himselfe  to  fight. 

39  Thereat  he  smitten  was  with  great  affright, 
And  trembling  teri'or  did  his  hart  apall ; 

Ne  wist  he  what  to  thinke  of  that  same  sight, 
Ne  what  to  say,  ne  what  to  doe  at  all : 
He  doubted  least  it  were  some  magicall 
Illusion  that  did  beguile  his  sense. 
Or  wandring  ghost  that  wanted  funerall, 
Or  aery  spirite  under  false  pretence. 
Or  hellish  feend  raysd  up  through  divelish  science. 

40  His  wonder  far  exceeded  reasons  reach. 
That  he  began  to  doubt  his  dazeled  sight. 
And  oft  of  error  did  himselfe  appeach  ^  : 
Flesh  without  blood,  a  person  without  spright. 
Wounds  without  hurt,  a  body  without  might. 
That  could  doe  harme,  yet  could  not  harmed  bee, 
Tliat  could  not  die,  yet  seemd  a  mortall  wight. 
That  was  most  strong  in  most  infirmitee ; 

Like  did  he  never  heare,  like  did  he  never  see. 

^  All,  although.  2  Appeach,  impeach. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XI.  121 

41  Awhile  he  stood  in  this  astonishment, 
Yet  would  he  not  for  all  his  great  dismay 
Give  over  to  effect  his  first  intent, 

And  th'  utmost  meanes  of  victory  assay, 
Or  th'  utmost  yssew  of  his  owne  decay .^ 
His  owne  good  sword  Mord'ire,  that  never  fayld 
At  need  till  now,  he  lightly  threw  away, 
And  his  bright  shield  that  nought  him  now  avayld ; 
And  with  his  naked  hands  him  forcibly  assay  Id. 

42  Twixt  his  two  mighty  armes  him  up  he  snatcht, 
And  crusht  his  carcas  so  against  his  brest. 
That  the  disdainfull  sowle  he  thence  dispatcht. 
And  th'  ydle  breath  all  utterly  exprest  ^  ; 

Tho,  when  he  felt  him  dead,  adowne  he  kest' 
The  lumpish  corse  unto  the  sencelesse  grownd; 
Adowne  he  kest  it  with  so  puissant  wrest, 
That  backe  againe  it  did  alofte  rebownd. 
And    gave   against   his    mother    Earth   a   gronefull 
sownd : 

»3  As  when  loves  harnesse-bearing  *  bird  from  hye 
Stoupes  at  a  flying  heron  with  proud  disdayne, 
The  stone-dead  quarrey  falls  so  forciblye, 
That  yt  rebownds  against  the  lowly  playne, 
A  second  fall  redoubling  backe  agayne. 
Then  thought  the  Prince  all  peril  sure  was  past, 
And  that  he  victor  onely  did  remayne  ; 


1  Decay,  destruction.  *  Keat,  cast. 

2  Exprest,  pressed  out. 

*  Harneise-beanng,  armor-bearing. 


122  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

No  sooner  thought,  then  that  the  Carle  as  fast 
Gan  lieap  huge  strokes  on  him,  as  ere  he  down  was  cast 

44  Nigh  his  wits  end  then  woxe  th'  amazed  Knight, 
And  thought  his  labor  lost,  and  travell  ^  vayne, 
Against  this  lifelesse  shadow  so  to  fight : 
Yet  life  he  saw,  and  felt  his  mighty  mayne, 
That,  whiles  he  marveild  still,  did  still  him  payne  ; 
Forthy  ^  he  gan  some  other  wayes  advize, 
How  to  take  life  from  that  dead-living  swayne, 
Whom  still  he  marked  freshly  to  arize 

From  th'  earth,  and  from  her  womb  new  spirits  to 
reprize.* 

46  He  then  remembred  well,  that  had  bene  sayd, 
How  th'  Earth  his  mother  was,  and  first  him  bore ; 
Shee  eke,  so  often  as  his  life  decayd, 
Did  life  with  usury  to  him  restore. 
And  reysd  him  up  much  stronger  then  before, 
So  soone  as  he  unto  her  wombe  did  fall : 
Therefore  to  grownd  he  would  him  cast  no  more, 
Ne  him  committ  to  grave  terrestriall, 

But  beare  him  farre  from  hope  of  succour  usuall. 

16  Tho  up  he  caught  him  twixt  his  puissant  hands, 
And  having  scruzd  *  out  of  his  carrion  corse 
The  lothfull  life,  now  loosd  from  sinfuU  bands. 
Upon  his  shoulders  carried  him  perforse 
Above  three  furlongs,  taking  his  full  course. 


1  Trnrell,  travail,  labor.  8  Reprize,  take  again. 

2  Fwlhv,  therefore.  *  Scruzd,  crushed. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XI.  123 

Untill  he  carae  unto  a  standing  lake  ; 
Him  thereinto  he  threw  without  I'emorse, 
Ne  stird,  till  hope  of  life  did  him  forsake : 
So  end  of  that  Carles  days  and  his  owne  paynes  did 
make. 

17  Which  when  those  wicked  Hags  from  far  did  spye, 
Like  two  mad  dogs  they  ran  about  the  lands ; 
And  th'  one  of  them  with  dreadfuU  yelling  crye, 
Throwing  away  her  broken  chaines  and  bands, 
And  having  quencht  her  burning  fier-brands, 
Hedlong  herselfe  did  cast  into  that  lake : 
But  Impotence  with  her  owne  wilfull  hands 
One  of  Malegers  cursed  darts  did  take, 

So  ry  v'd  her  trembling  hart,  and  wicked  end  did  make. 

43  Thus  now  alone  he  conquerour  remaines  : 

Tho,  cumming  to  his  Squyre  that  kept  his  steed. 
Thought  to  have  mounted  ;  but  his  feeble  vaines 
Him  faild  thereto,  and  served  not  his  need. 
Through  losse  of  blood  which  from  his  wounds  did 

bleed, 
That  he  began  to  faint,  and  life  decay  : 
But  his  good  Squyre,  him  helping  up  with  speed, 
With  stedfast  hand  upon  his  horse  did  stay, 

And  led  him  to  the  Castle  by  the  beaten  way. 

49  Where  many  groomes  and  squyres  ready  were 
To  take  him  from  his  steed  full  tenderly ; 
And  eke  the  fayrest  Alma  mett  him  there 
With  balme,  and  wine,  and  costly  spicery, 
To  comfort  him  in  his  infirmity  : 


124  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Eftesoones  shee  causd  him  up  to  be  convayd, 
And  of  his  armes  despoyled  easily, 
In  sumptuous  bed  shee  made  him  to  be  layd ; 
And,  al  the  while  his  wounds  were  dressing,  by  liira 
stayd. 


BOOK   11.      CANTO   XII.  125 


CANTO    XII. 


Gnyon,  by  Palmers  governauncc, 
Pjissiiig  through  perilles  great, 

Doth  overthrow  the  Bowre  of  Blis, 
And  Acrasy  defeat. 


1  Now  ginnes^  this  goodly  frame  of  Temperaunce 
Fayrely  to  rise,  and  her  adorned  hed 

To  pricke  ^  of  highest  prayse  forth  to  advaunce, 
Formerly  grounded  and  fast  setteled 
On  firme  foundation  of  true  bounty  hed  ^: 
And  that  brave  Knight,  that  for  this  vertue  fightes, 
Now  comes  to  point  of  that  same  perilous  sted,* 
Where  Pleasure  dwelles  in  sensuall  delights, 
Mongst  thousand  dangers  and  ten  thousand  magicb 
mights. 

2  Two  dayes  now  in  that  sea  he  sayled  has, 
Ne  ever  land  beheld,  ne  living  wight, 

Ne  ought  save  perill,  still  as  he  did  pas  : 

1  Ginnes,  begins.  8  Bountyhed,  goodness. 

'■i  Pricke,  the  point.  *  Sted,  place. 

I.  4.  —  Formerly  grounded.]  Being  first  established  on  the 
foundation  of  true  virtue,  by  the  victory  of  Arthur  over  the  foes 
v£  Alma      C. 


126  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Tho,  when  appeared  the  third  morrow  bright 
Upon  the  waves  to  spred  her  trembling  hght, 
An  hideous  roring  far  away  they  heard, 
That  all  their  sences  filled  with  affright ; 
And  streight  they  saw  the  raging  surges  reard 
Up  to  the  skyes,  that  them  of  drowning  made  affeard. 

3  Said  then  the  Boteman,  "  Palmer,  stere  aright, 
And  keepe  an  even  coui'se  ;  for  yonder  way 

We  needes  must  pas  ;  (God  doe  us  well  acquight*  !) 
That  is  the  Gulfe  of  Greedinesse,  they  say, 
That  deepe  engorgeth  ^  all  this  worldes  pray ; 
Which  having  swallowd  up  excessively, 
He  soone  in  vomit  up  againe  doth  lay,^ 
And  belcheth  forth  his  superfluity, 
That  all  the  seas  for  feare  doe  seeme  away  to  fly. 

4  "  On  th'  other  syde  an  hideous  rock  is  pight* 
Of  mightie  magnes  stone,^  whose  craggie  clift 
Depending  from  on  high,  dreadfull  to  sight, 
Over  the  waves  his  rugged  armes  doth  lift, 
And  threatneth  downe  to  throw  his  raor2;ed  rift* 
On  whoso  Cometh  nigh  ;  yet  nigh  it  drawes 
All  passengers,  that  none  from  it  can  shift : 
For,  whiles  they  fly  that  gulfes  devouring  iawes. 

They  on   this  rock  are   rent,   and  sunck  in  helples 
wavves.''  " 

1  Acqui(/ht,  deliver.  5  Mngnes  stone,  magnet. 

2  Enyorytth,  swallows.  6  Itayyed  rift,  rough  fragments. 
8  Ltiy,  tlirow.                               1  Wawes,  waves. 

4  Piyhl,  placed. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  127 

5  Forward  they  passe,  and  strongly  he  them  rowes, 
Untill  they  nigh  unto  that  gulfe  arryve, 
Where  streame  more  violent  and  greedy  growes : 
Then  he  with  all  his  puisaunce  doth  stryve 

To  strike  his  oares,  and  mightily  doth  dryve 
The  hollow  vessell  through  the  threatfull  wave  ; 
Which,  gaping  Avide  to  swallow  them  alyve 
In  th'  huge  abysse  of  his  engulfing  grave. 
Doth  rore  at  them  in  vaine,  and  with  great  terrour 
rave. 

6  They,  passing  by,  that  grisely  mouth  did  see 
Sucking  the  seas  into  his  entralles  deepe, 
That  seemd  more  horrible  then  hell  to  bee, 
Or  that  darke  dreadfuU  hole  of  Tartare  steepe 
Through  which  the  damned  ghosts  doen  often  creep 
Backe  to  the  world,  bad  livers  to  torment : 

But  nought  that  falles  into  this  direfuU  deepe, 
Ne  that  approcheth  nigh  the  wyde  descent. 
May  backe  retourne,  but  is  condemned  to  be  drent.^ 

7  On  th'  other  side  they  saw  that  perilous  rocke, 
Threatning  itselfe  on  them  to  ruinate,^ 

On  whose  sharp  cliftes  the  ribs  of  vessels  broke 
And  shivered  ships,  which  had  beene  wrecked  late, 
Yet  stuck,  with  carcases  exanimate  ^ 
Of  such,  as  having  all  their  substance  spent 
In  wanton  ioyes  and  lustes  intemperate, 
Did  afterwardes  make  shipwrack  violent 
Both  of  their  life  and  fame  for  ever  fowly  blent.* 

1  Drent,  drenched,  drowned.  3  Exanimate,  lifeless. 

2  Ruinate,  thi-ow  down.  *  Blent,  polluted,  disgraced 


128  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

8  Fortliy  this  hight  the  Rock  of  vile  Reproch, 
A  daungerous  and  detestable  place, 

To  which  nor  fish  nor  fowle  did  once  approch, 
But  yelling   meawes,   with   seagulles   hoars   and 

bace, 
And  cormoyraunts,  with  birds  of  ravenous  race, 
"Which  still  sat  wayting  on  that  wastfiiU  clift 
For  spoile  of  wretches,  whose  unhappy  cace, 
After  lost  credit  and  consumed  thrift, 
At  last  them  driven  hath  to  this  despairefull  drift. 

9  The  Palmer,  seeing  them  in  safetie  past, 

Thus  saide  :  "  Behold  th'  ensamples  in  our  sigbtes 
Of  lustfull  luxurie  and  thriftlesse  wast ! 
What  now  is  left  of  miserable  wightes 
Which  spent  their  looser  daies  in  lend  delightes, 
But  shame  and  sad  reproch,  here  to  be  red 
By  these  rent  reliques  speaking  their  ill  plightes  ! 
Let  all  that  live  hereby  be  counselled 
To  shunne  Rock  of  Reproch,   and  it  as   death  to 
dread!" 

10  So  forth  they  rowed  ;  and  that  Ferryman 

With  his  stiffe  oares  did  brush  the  sea  so  strong, 
That  the  hoare  waters  from  his  frigot  ran, 
And  the  light  bubles  daunced  all  along. 
Whiles  the  salt  brine  out  of  the  billowes  sprong. 
At  last  far  off  they  many  islandes  spy 
On  every  side  floting  the  floodes  emong : 
Then  said  the  Knight :  "  Lo  !  I  the  land  descry ; 

Therefore,  old  Syre,  thy  course  doe  thereunto  ap- 
ply." 


BOOK   II.       CANTO    XII.  129 

ji  «  That  may  not  bee,"  said  then  the  Ferryman, 
"Least  wee  unweeting*  hap  to  be  fordonne^ : 
For  those  same  islands,  seeming^  now  and  than, 
Are  not  firrae  land,  nor  any  certain  wonne,* 
But  stragling  plots,  which  to  and  fro  doe  ronne 
In  the  wide  waters  :  therefore  are  they  hight 
The    Wandring    Islands.     Therefore    doe    them 

shonne  ; 
For  they  have  ofte  drawne  many  a  wandring  wight 

Into  most  deadly  daunger  and  distressed  plight. 

12  "  Yet  well  they  seeme  to  him,  that  farre  doth  vew. 
Both  faire  and  fruitfull,  and  the  grownd  dispred 
With  grassy  greene  of  delectable  hew  ; 

And  the  tall  trees  with  leaves  appareled 
Are  deckt  with  blossoms  dyde  in  white  and  red. 
That  mote  the  passengers  thereto  allure  ; 
But  whosoever  once  hath  fastened 
His  foot  thereon,  may  never  it  recure,^ 
But  wandreth  evermore  uncertein  and  unsure. 

13  "  As  th'  isle  of  Delos  whylome,  men  report, 
Amid  th'  Aegfean  sea  long  time  did  stray, 
Ne  made  for  shipping  any  certeine  port, 

1  Vnweetinff,  unknowing.  *  Wonne,  habitation. 

2  Fordonne,  undone.  <»  Recuve,  recover. 
8  Seeming,  i.  e.  which  seem  such. 

XIII.  1.  —  As  ill'  isle  of  Ddos,  &c.]  This  island  is  represented 
by  the  ancients  as  naving  been  floating  under  water,  until  it  was 
made  to  appear  and  remain  fixed,  in  order  that  Latona  might  give 
birth  there  to  Apollo  and  Diana  ;  the  Earth  liaving  been  bound, 
by  an  oath  imposed  by  Juno,  not  to  give  her  a  resting-place,  by 

VOL.  II.  9 


1,30  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Till  that  Latona,  travelling  that  way, 
Flying  from  lunoes  wrath  and  hard  assay ,^ 
Of  her  fayre  twins  was  there  delivered, 
Which  afterwards  did  rule  the  night  and  day ; 
Thenceforth  it  firmely  was  established. 
And  for  Apolloes  temple  highly  herried.^" 

14  They  to  him  hearken,  as  beseemeth  meete  ; 
And  passe  on  forward :  so  their  way  does  ly, 
That  one  of  those  same  islands,  which  doe  fleet* 
In  the  wide  sea,  they  needes  must  passen  by, 
Which  seemd  so  sweet  and  pleasaunt  to  the  eye, 
That  it  would  tempt  a  man  to  touchen  there : 
Upon  the  banck  they  sitting  did  espy 

A  daintie  damsell  dressing  of  her  heare. 
By  whom  a  little  skippet  ^  floting  did  appeare. 

15  She,  them  espying,  loud  to  them  can  ^  call, 
Bidding:  them  nisfher  draw  unto  the  shore, 
For  she  had  cause  to  busie  them  withall  ; 
And  therewith  lowdly  laught.     But  nathemore 
Would  they  once  turne,  but  kept  on  as  afore  : 
Which  when  she  saw,  she  left  her  lockes  undight,* 
And  running  to  her  boat  withouten  ore, 

1  Assay,  persecution.  *  Skippet,  skiff. 

2  Ueriied,  honored.  ^  Caii,  i.  e.  gan. 

8  Fleet,  float.  6  Undight,  undressed. 


which  oath  this  island  was  not  deemed  to  be  bound.     Hence  the 
name  of  Delos,  which  is  a  Greek  word  meaning  manifest.    H. 

XV.  7.  —  Wttlmiten  ore.]     This   boat,  it  will   be   remembered, 
was  moved  by  turning  a  pin.     See  Canto  VI.  Stiuiza  5.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  131 

From  tlie  departing  land  it  launched  light, 
tVnd  after  them  did  drive  with  all  her  power  and  might. 

16  Whom  overtaking,  she  in  merry  sort 
Them  gan  to  bord,^  and  purpose  ^  diversly  ; 
Now  faining  dalliaunce  and  wanton  sport, 
Now  throwing  forth  lewd  wordes  immodestly ; 
Till  that  the  Palmer  gan  full  bitterly 

Her  to  rebuke  for  being  loose  and  light : 
Which  not  abiding,  but  more  scornfully 
Scoffing  at  him  that  did  her  iustly  wite,^ 
She  turnd  her  bote  about,  and  from  them  rowee?  quitei 

17  That  was  the  wanton  Phoidria,  which  late 
Did  ferry  him  over  the  Idle  Lake : 

Whom  nought  regarding,  they  kept  on  their  gate,*' 
And  all  her  vaine  allurements  did  forsake ; 
When  them  the  wary  Boteman  thus  bespake : 
"  Here  now  behoveth  us  well  to  avyse,^ 
And  of  our  safety  good  heede  to  take  ; 
For  here  before  a  perlous  ®  passage  lyes, 
Where  many  Mennayds  haunt  making  false  melodies : 

8  "  But  by  the  way  there  is  a  great  quicksand, 
And  a  whirlepoole  of  hidden  ieopardy  ; 
Therefore,  Sir  Palmer,  keepe  an  even  hand  ; 
For  twixt  them  both  the  narrow  way  doth  ly." 
Scarse  had  he  saide,  when  hard  at  hand  they  spy 


1  Eoi-cl,  accost.  *  Gate,  way. 

'^  Purpose,  discourse.  ^  Avyse,  consider. 

8  Wile,  blame.  6  Perlous,  perilous. 


132  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  quicksand  nigh  with  water  covered  ; 
But  by  the  checked  ^  wave  they  did  descry 
It  phiine,  and  by  the  sea  discoloured  : 
It  called  was  the  Quickesand  of  Unthriftyhed. 

19  They,  passing  by,  a  goodly  ship  did  see 
Laden  from  far  with  precious  merchandize, 
And  bravely  furnished  as  a  ship  might  bee, 
Which  tlirough  great  disaventure,  or  mesprize,* 
Herselfe  had  ronne  into  that  hazai'dize  * ; 
Whose  mariners  and  merchants  with  much  toyle 
Labour'd  in  vaine  to  have  recur'd  *  their  prize, 
And  the  rich  wares  to  save  from  pitteous  spoyle; 

But  neither  toyle  nor  traveill  might  her  backe  recoylec 

•JO  On  th'  other  side  they  see  that  perilous  poole, 
That  called  was  the  Whirlepoole  of  Decay  ; 
In  which  full  many  had  with  haplesse  doole® 
Beene  suncke,  of  whom  no  memorie  did  stay : 
Whose  circled  waters  rapt  with  whirling  sway, 
Like  to  a  restlesse  wheele,  still  ronning  round, 
Did  covet,  as  they  passed  by  that  way, 
To  draw  their  bote  within  the  utmost'  bound 

Of  his  wide  labyrinth,  and  then  to  have  them  dround. 

21  But  th'  heedful!  Boteman  strongly  forth  did  stretch 
His  brawnie  armes,  and  all  his  bodie  straine, 


1  Checked,  interrupted.  6  Recoyle,  push  her  back. 

2  Misprize,  mistake.  6  Doole,  lot. 

8  Ilmardize,  hazardous  situation.  T  Utmost,  outmost. 
*  Recttr\l,  recovered 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  133 

That  th'  utmost  sandy  breach  they  shortly  fetch, 
Whiles  the  dredd  daunger  does  behind  remaine. 
Suddeine  they  see  from  midst  of  all  the  maine 
The  surging  waters  like  a  mountaine  rise, 
And  the  great  sea,  puft  up  with  proud  disdaine, 
To  swell  above  the  measure  of  his  guise,^ 
As  threatning  to  devoure  all  that  his  powre  despise. 

2-2  The  waves  come  rolling,  and  the  billowes  rore 
Outragiously,  as  they  eni-aged  were, 
Or  wrathfuU  Neptune  did  them  drive  before 
His  whirling  charet  for  exceeding  feare  ; 
For  not  one  pufFe  of  winde  there  did  appeare ; 
That  all  the  three  thereat  woxe  much  afrayd, 
Unweeting  what  such  horrour  straunge  did  reare.'* 
Eftsoones  they  saw  an  hideous  boast  arrayd 

Of  huge  sea-monsters,  such  as  living  sence  dismayd  : 

23  Most  Ugly  shapes  and  horrible  aspects, 

Such  as  Dame  Nature  selfe  mote  feare  to  see, 
Or  shame  that  ever  should  so  fowle  defects 
From  her  most  cunning  hand  escaped  bee  ; 
All  dreadfull  pourtraicts  of  deformitee  : 
Spring-headed  hydres  ;  and  sea-shouldring  whales, 

1  Guise,  wont  or  custom.  '■*  Beare,  raise. 


XXI.  3. —  That  111'  utmost  saivhj  breach,  &c.]  They  come  to 
the  extreme  edge  of  that  quicksand,  on  which  tlie  "  checked  "  sea 
brealvs  (St.  xviii.  7).     C. 

XXIII.  6.  —  Spring-headed  (very  bad  English);  having  several 
heads  springing  or  budding  from  tl)eir  bodies.  For  a  picture,  see 
Oesner   (Zurich,  1558),    Vol.  III.   p.   543.  —  Sea-should rin y  ;   so 


134  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Great  wliirlpooles,  which  all  fishes  make  to  flee ; 
Bright  scolopendraes  ann'd  with  silver  scales ; 
Mighty  monoceroses  with  immeasured  ^  tajles ; 

24  The  dreadfuU  fish  that  hath  deserv'd  the  name 
Of  Death,  and  like  him  lookes  in  dreadfull  hew ; 
The  griesly  wasserman,  that  makes  his  game 
The  flying  ships  with  swiftnes  to  pursew  ; 

The  horrible  sea-satyre,  that  doth  shew 
His  fearefuU  face  in  time  of  greatest  storme ; 
Hiisre  zitfiiis,  whom  mariners  eschew 
No  lesse  then  rockes,  as  travellers  informe ; 
And  greedy  rosmarines  with  visages  deforme : 

25  All  these,  and  thousand  thousands  many  more, 
And  more  deformed  monsters  thousand  fold. 
With  dreadfull  noise  and  hollow  rombling  rore 
Came  rushing,  in  the  fomy^waves  enrold,^ 
Which  seem'd  to  fly  for  feare  them  to  behold : 

1  Immeasured,  immeasurable.  2  Enrolcl,  enveloped. 


I  ailed  from  the  quantity  of  water  they  displace  in  moving. — 
7.  Whirlpoole ;  a-fish  of  the  whale  kind,  thus  named  from  the  vor- 
texes it  makes  in  the  water.  (G.  p.  256.)  —  8.  Scolopendra  is  the 
name  of  the  centipede,  and  is  also  applied  to  a  huge  cetaceous 
fish.  (G.  p.  1009.)  —  9.  Monoce7-ose$,  sea-unicorns.  (G.  p.  247.)  C. 
XXIV.  1.  —  The  dreadfull  fish  is  the  Morse  (mors),  or  Walrus. 
(G.  p.  250.)  —  3.  Of  the  wasserman,  merman,  three  varieties  may 
be  seen  in  Gesner ;  one  in  shape  like  a  monk,  another  like  a  bishop. 
—  5.  Sea-satyre,  or  Pan,  a  kind  of  ichthyoccntaur.  (G.  p.  1197.) 
--7.  ZiJ/ius  (G.  p.  249),  a  monster  described  in  general  terms  as 
"entirely  unlike  any  other  animal." — 9.  Rosmarine,  a  kind  of  wal- 
rus, or  se.a-horse.  (G.  p.  249.)     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  135 

Ne  wonder,  if  these  did  the  Knight  appall  \ 
For  all  that  here  on  earth  we  dreadfull  hold, 
Be  but  as  bugs  to  fearen  ^  babes  withall, 
Compared  to  the  creatures  in  the  seas  entrall.' 

26  "  Feare  nought,"  then  saide  the  Palmer  well  aviz'd, 
"  For  these  same  monsters  are  not  these  in  deed, 
But  are  into  these  fearefull  shapes  disguiz'd 

By  that  same  wicked  witch,  to  worke  us  dreed, 
And  draw  ^  from  on  this  iourney  to  proceed." 
Tho,  lifting  up  his  vertuous  staife  on  hye, 
He  smote  the  sea,  which  calmed  was  with  speed, 
And  all  that  dreadfull  armie  fast  gan  flye 
Into  great  Tethys  bosome,  where  they  hidden  lye. 

27  Quit  from  that  danger  forth  their  course  they  kept ; 
And  as  they  went  they  heard  a  ruefuU  cry 

Of  one  that  wayld  and  pittifuUy  wept, 
That  through  the  sea  the  resounding  plaints  did  fly: 
At  last  they  in  an  island  did  espy 
A  seemely  maiden,  sitting  by  the  shore, 
That  with  great  sorrow  and  sad  agony 
Seemed  some  great  misfortune  to  deplore. 
And  lowd  to  them  for  succour  called  evermore. 

.«  Which  Giiyon  hearing,  streight  his  Palmer  bad 
To  stere  the  bote  towards  that  dolefull  mayd, 

1  Fearen,  frighten.  2  EiUrdll,  entrails,  depthE. 

8  Draw,  i.  e.  us  from  proceeding,  &c. 


XX Y  I.  4. —  Wicked  icilch.^     Acrasia. 


136  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  he  might  know  and  ease  her  sorrow  sad  ; 
Who,  him  avizing  better,  to  him  sayd : 
"  Faire  Sir,  be  not  displeasd  if  disobayd  : 
For  ill  it  were  to  hearken  to  her  cry ; 
For  she  is  inly  nothing  ill  apayd  ^  ; 
But  onely  womanish  fine  forgery, 
Your  stubborne  hart  t'  affect  with  fraile  infirmity  : 

29  "  To  which  when  she  your  courage  ^  hath  inclind 
Tiirough  foolish  pitty,  then  her  guilefuU  bayt 
She  will  embosome  deeper  in  your  mind, 
And  for  your  ruine  at  the  last  awayt." 
The  Knight  was  ruled,  and  the  Boteman  strayt 
Held  on  his  course  with  stayed^  stedfastnesse, 
Ne  ever  shroncke,  ne  ever  sought  to  bayt  * 
His  tryed  amies  for  toylesome  wearinesse  : 

But  with  his  oares  did  sweepe  the  watry  wildernesse. 

so  And  now  they  nigh  approched  to  the  sted  ^ 
Whereas  those  Mermayds  dwelt.    It  was  a  still, 
And  caliny  bay,  on  th'  one  side  sheltered 
With  the  brode  shadow  of  an  hoarie  hill ; 
On  tlf  other  side  an  \\\"h  rocke  toured  still, 
That  twixt  them  both  a  pleasaunt  port  they  made, 
And  did  like  an  lialfe  theatre  fulfill.® 
There  those  five  sisters  had  continuall  trade,' 

And  usd  to  bath  themselves  in  that  deceiptfuU  shade. 

1  fll  npnyd,  dissatisfied,  distressed.  *  Bayt,  rest. 

2  Courruje,  heart.  6  Sted,  place. 
*  Stftyed,  constant. 

8  Fdfill,  i.  e.  make  up,  as  it  were,  an  amphitheatre. 
■*  Trade,  occupation,  employment. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  137 

31  They  were  faire  ladies,  till  they  fondly  striv'd 
With  til'  Heliconian  Maides  for  maystery  ; 
Of  whom  they  over-conien  were  depriv'd 

Of  their  proud  beautie,  and  th'  one  moyity 
Transformd  to  fish  for  their  bold  surquedry  ^ ; 
But  th'  upper  halfe  their  hew  retayned  still, 
And  their  sweet  skill  in  wonted  melody  ; 
Which  ever  after  they  abusd  to  ill, 
T'  allure  weake  traveillers,  whom  gotten  they  did  kill. 

32  So  now  to  Guyon,  as  he  passed  by, 

Their  pleasaunt  tunes  they  sweetly  thus  applyde: 
"  O  thou  fayre  sonne  of  gentle  Faery, 
That  art  in  raightie  amies  most  magnifyde 
Above  all  knights  that  ever  batteill  tryde, 
O  turne  thy  rudder  hetherward  awhile  : 
Here  may  thy  storme-bett  vessell  safely  ryde  ; 
This  is  the  port  of  rest  from  troublous  toyle, 
Tlie  worldes  sweet  in^  from  paine  and  wearisome 
turmoyle." 

33  With  that  the  rolling  sea,  resounding  soft, 
In  his  biof  base  them  fitlv  answered  ; 

And  on  the  rocke  the  waves  breakin2:  aloft 


o 


Surquedry,  presumption.  '^  /«,  resting  place. 


XXXI.  1.  —  Faire  Ladies.]  The  classic  Sirens  were  two  (some 
say  three)  in  number,  and  were  provided  with  wings,  —  of  which 
they  were  deprived  by  the  Muses  for  the  reason  above  given. 
Spenser  makes  tliem  five,  to  correspond  with  the  five  senses.  It 
was  verj'  natural  that  tliey  should  be  taken  for  mermaids  by  later 
poets.     C. 


138  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

A  solemne  meane  ^  unto  them  mt;asured  ; 
The  whiles  sweet  Zephyrus  lowd  whisteled 
His  treble,  a  straunge  kinde  of  hai'mony  ; 
Which  Guyons  senses  softly  tickeled, 
That  he  the  Boteman  bad  row  easily, 
And  let  him  heare  some  part  of  their  rare  melody. 

i4  But  him  the  Palmer  from  that  vanity 
With  temperate  advice  discounselled. 
That  they  it  past,  and  shortly  gan  descry 
Tlie  land  to  which  their  course  they  leveled  ^  : 
When  suddeinly  a  grosse  fog  over  spred 
With  his  dull  vapour  all  that  desert  has, 
And  heavens  chearefuU  face  enveloped, 
Tliat  all  things  one,  and  one  as  nothing  was, 

And  this  great  universe  seemd  one  confused  mas. 


o* 


35  Thereat  they  greatly  were  dismayd,  ne  wist 
How  to  dii'ect  theyr  way  in  darkenes  wide, 
But  feard  to  wander  in  that  wastefull  mist, 
For  tombling^  into  mischiefe  unespide  : 
Worse  is  the  daunger  hidden  then  descride. 
Suddeinly  an  innumerable  flight 
Of  harmefuU  fowles  about  them  fluttering  cride, 
And  with  their  wicked  wings  them  ofte  did  smight 

And  sore  annoyed,  groping  in  that  griesly  night. 

}G  Even  all  the  nation  of  unfortunate 

And  fatall  birds  about  them  flocked  were, 


1  Afeane,  (here)  tenor.  2  Leveled,  aimed, 

t  For  (umblinij,  lest  they  should  tumble. 


BOOK    II.      CAXTO    XII.  139 

Such  as  by  nature  men  abhorre  and  hate ; 
The  ill-faste  owle,  deaths  dreadfull  messengere  ; 
The  hoars  night-raven,  trump  of  doleful!  drere^  ; 
The  lether-winged  batt,  dayes  enimy  ; 
The  ruefuU  strich,'^  still  waiting  on  the  here  ; 
The  whistler  shrill,  that  whoso  heares  doth  dy  ; 
The  hellish  harpyes,  prophets  of  sad  destiny : 

37  All  those,  and  all  that  els  does  horror  breed. 
About  them  flew,  and  fild  their  sayles  with  feare  ; 
Yet  stayd  they  not,  but  forward  did  proceed. 
Whiles  th'  one  did  row,  and  th'  other  stifly  steare. 
Till  that  at  last  the  weather  gan  to  cleare, 

And  the  faire  land  itselfe  did  playnly  sheow. 
Said  then  the  Palmer  :  "  Lo  !  where  does  appeare 
The  sacred  ^  soile  where  all  our  perills  grow ! 
Therfore,  Sir  Knight,  your  ready  arms  about  you 
throw." 

38  He  hearkned,  and  his  armes  about  him  tooke, 
The  whiles  the  nimble  bote  so  well  her  sped, 
That  with  her  crooked  keele  the  land  she  strooke : 
Then  forth  the  noble  Guyon  sallied, 

And  his  sage  Palmer  that  him  governed  ; 
But  til'  other  by  his  bote  behind  did  stay. 
They  marched  fayrly  forth,  of  nought  ydred,* 
Both  firmely  ai'md  for  every  hard  assay, 
VVith  constancy  and   care,  gainst  daunger  and  dis- 
may. 

1  Drere,  sorrow.  8  Sncred,  cursetl. 

'*■  Sti-ich.  tlie  screech-owl.  *  Ydred,  afnud. 


140  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

39  Ere  long  they  heard  an  hideous  bellowing 
Of  many  beasts,  that  roard  outrageously, 
As  if  that  hungers  poynt  or  Venus  sting 
Had  them  enraged  with  fell  surquedry^; 
Yet  nought  they  feard,  but  past  on  hardily, 
Untill  they  came  in  vew  of  those  wilde  beasts, 
Who  all  attonce,  gaping  full  greedily, 
And  rearing  fercely  their  upstaring^  crests, 

Ran  towards  to  devoure  those  unexpected  guests. 

JO  But,  soone  as  they  approcht  with  deadly  threat. 
The  Palmer  over  tliem  his  staff'e  U[)lield, 
His  mighty  staffe,  that  could  all  charmes  defeat : 
Eftesoones  their  stubborne  corages  were  queld, 
And  high  advaunced  crests  downe  meekely  feld  ; 
Instead  of  fraying,^  they  themselves  did  feare. 
And  trembled,  as  them  passing  they  beheld  : 
Such  wondrous  powre  did  in  that  staffe  appeare, 

All  monsters  to  subdew  to  him  that  did  it  beare. 

41  Of  that  same  wood  it  fram'd  was  cunningly, 
Of  which  Caduceus  wliilome  was  made, 
Caduceus,  the  rod  of  Mercury, 
Willi  wiiich  he  wonts  the  Stygian  realmes  invade, 
Througli  gliastly  horror  and  eternall  shade  ; 
Th'  infcrnall  i'ccnds  with  it  he  can  asswage, 

1  Surquedry,  presumption.  8  Fraying,  terrifying. 

2  Uj)slarinf/,  elevated. 

XL.  2. —  I/is  sUiJj'e  upheld.]  The  virtues  of  tliis  stall"  express 
that  power  over  tlie  inferior  appetites  which  springs  from  liabits 
af  temperance  and  sclf-coiitrul.    H. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  141 

And  Orcus  tame,  whome  nothing  can  persuade, 
And  rule  the  Furyes  when  they  most  doe  rage: 
Such  vertue  in  his  stafFe  had  eke  this  Pahner  sasre. 


*D 


43  Thence  passing  forth,  they  shortly  doe  aiTyve 
Whereas  the  Bowre  of  Blisse  was  situate  ; 
A  place  pickt  out  by  choyce  of  best  aly  ve, 
That  natures  worke  by  art  can  imitate : 
In  which  whatever  in  this  worldly  state 
Is  sweete  and  pleasing  unto  living  sense, 
Or  that  may  dayntest^  fantasy  aggrate,^ 
Was  poured  forth  with  plentifull  dispence,' 

And  made  there  to  abound  with  lavish  affluence. 

43  Goodly  it  w^as  enclosed  rownd  about. 

As  well  their  entred  guestes  to  keep  within, 
As  those  unruly  beasts  to  hold  without ; 
Yet  was  the  fence  thereof  but  weake  and  thin  ; 
Nought  feard  tlieyr  force  that  fortilage*  to  win. 
But  Wisedomes  powre,  and  Temperaunces  might, 
By  which  the  mightiest  things  efforced  bin  : 
And  eke  the  gate  was  wrought  of  substaunce  light, 
Rather  for  pleasure  then  for  battery  or  fight. 

44  Yt  framed  was  of  precious  yvory. 
That  seemd  a  worke  of  admirable  witt ; 

1  Dayntest,  daintiest,  most  delicate.  8  Dkpence,  expense. 

2  Aggrate,  gratify.  4  Fm-tilnye,  fortress. 

XLIII.  5. —  Nought  feard,  Sec]  Their  force  did  not  fear  that 
anything  could  win  that  fortress,  except  the  power  of  wisdom  and 
the  might  of  temperance.    H. 


142  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  therein  all  the  famous  history 
Of"  lason  and  Meda^a  was  ywritt ; 
Her  mighty  charmes,  her  furious  loving  fitt ; 
His  goodly  conquest  of  the  golden  fleece, 
His  falsed  fayth,  and  love  too  lightly  flitt^ ; 
The  wondred^  Argo,  which  in  venturous  peece' 
First  through  the  Euxine  seas  bore  all  the  flowr  of 
Greece. 

45  Ye  might  have  scene  the  frothy  billowes  fry* 
Under  the  ship  as  thorough  them  she  went, 
That  seemd  the  waves  were  into  yvory, 
Or  yvory  into  the  waves  were  sent ; 
And  otherwhere  the  snowy  substaunce  sprent ' 
"With  vermeil,*'  like  the  boyes  blood  therein  shed, 
A  piteous  spectacle  did  represent ; 
Ajid  otherwhiles  with  gold  besprinkeled 

Yt   seemd  th'  enchaunted  flame,  which  did  Creusa 
wed. 


1  FliU,  departed.  4  jp'ry^  hum. 

2  Wmdred,  admired.  e  Sprent,  sprinkled. 
8  Peece,  structure,  ship.  6  Vermeil,  veiinilion. 


XLIV.,  XLV.  —  Many  parts  of  this  Canto  are  imitated  or  trans- 
lated from  Tasso.  These  verses  were  sujrgested  by  the  description 
of  tlie  gates  of  Armida's  palace,  Jerus.  Deliv.  x\n.  1  -  7.  Stanzas 
60,  51  are  in  imitation  of  Canto  xv.  53,  54;  58,  59,  of  xvi.  9,  10; 
63-68,  of  XV.  58-62;  71,  of  xvi.  12;  74,  75,  78,  of  xvi.  14,  U. 
18.     C. 

XLV.  6.—  The  bm/es  blood.]  Medea  put  to  death  tlie  chil- 
dren she  had  by  Jason,  and  presented  Creusa,  the  destined  wife 
of  .Jason,  with  a  robe  and  a  diadem  which  consumed  her  to 
ashes.    II. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  143 

46  All  this  and  more  might  in  that  goodly  gate 
Be  red,  that  ever  open  stood  to  all 

Which  thether  came  :  but  in  the  porch  there  sate 
A  comely  personage  of  stature  tall, 
And  semblaunce  pleasing,  more  then  naturall, 
That  travellers  to  him  seemd  to  entize ; 
His  looser  garment  to  the  ground  did  fall, 
And  flew  about  his  heeles  in  wanton  wize, 
Not  fitt  for  speedy  pace  or  manly  exercize. 

47  They  in  that  place  him  Genius  did  call : 
Not  that  celestiall  powre,  to  whom  the  care 
Of  life,  and  generation  of  all 

That  lives,  perteines  in  charge  particulare, 
Who  wondrous  things  concerning  our  welfare, 
And  straunge  phantomes,  doth  lett  us  ofte  foresee. 
And  ofte  of  secret  ill  bids  us  beware  : 
That  is  our  Selfe,  whom  though  we  doe  not  see, 
Yet  each  doth  in  himselfe  it  well  perceive  to  bee : 

48  Therefore  a  god  him  sage  Antiquity 
Did  wisely  make,  and  good  Agdistes  call : 
But  this  same  was  to  that  quite  contrary, 
The  foe  of  life,  that  good  envyes  to  all, 
That  secretly  doth  us  procui-e  to  fall 

Through  guilefull  semblants,  which  he  makes  us  see : 

XLVII.  1.  —  A  Genius,  so  called  from  gignendo,  either  because 
he  is  born  with  us,  or  because  he  has  particular  charge  of  "  the 
generation  of  all  that  lives,"  is  believed  to  govern  our  whole  life? 
by  inciting  us  to  such  actions  as  conduce  to  our  welfare,  or  re- 
straining us  when  we  are  disposed  to  pursue  the  "guilefull 
semblants  "  with  which  malignant  demons  tempt  us  astray.  In 
later  times  this  Genius  was  called  Agdistes.  —  This  is  the  sub- 
Stance  of  a  passage  cited  by  Warton  from  Natalis  Comes.     C. 


144  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

He  of  this  Gardin  had  the  governall, 
And  Pleasures  Porter  was  devizd  to  bee, 
Holdinsr  a  staffe  in  hand  for  more  formalitee. 


o 


49  "With  diverse  flowres  he  daintily  was  deckt, 
And  strowed  rownd  about ;  and  by  his  side 
A  mighty  mazer  ^  bowle  of  wine  was  sett, 
As  if  it  had  to  him  bene  sacrifide  ; 
Wherewith  all  new-come  guests  he  gratyfide'': 
So  did  he  eke  Sir  Guyon  passing  by ; 

But  he  his  ydle  curtesie  defide, 
And  overthrew  his  bowle  disdainfully, 
And  broke  his  staffe,  with  which  he  charmed  sem- 
blants  sly. 

50  Thus  being  entred,  they  behold  arownd 

A  large  and  spacious  plaine,  on  every  side 
Strowed    with    pleasauns^;     whose   fay  re   grassy 

grownd 
Mantled  with  greene,  and  goodly  beautifide 
With  all  the  ornaments  of  Floraes  pride. 
Wherewith  her  mother  Art,  as  halfe  in  scorne 
Of  niggard  Nature,  like  a  pompous  bride 
Did  decke  her,  and  too  lavishly  adorne, 
When  forth  from  virgin  bowre  she  comes  in  th'  early 
morne. 

51  Thereto  the  heavens  alwayes  ioviall 
Lookte  on  them  lovely,  still  in  stedfast  state, 
Ne  suffred  storme  nor  frost  on  them  to  fall, 

1  Mmer,  <;oblet.  8  Pleasauns,  pleasantness. 

2  Grdtijfide,  congi'atulated,  welcomed. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  145 

Their  tender  buds  or  leaves  to  violate  ; 
Nor  scorching  heat,  nor  cold  intemperate, 
T'  afflict  the  creatures  which  therein  did  dwell ; 
But  the  milde  ayre  with  season  moderate 
Gently  attempred,  and  disposd  so  well. 
That  still  it  breathed  forth  sweet  spirit^  and  holesoin 
smell : 

6-2  More  sweet  and  holesome  then  the  pleasaunt  hill 
Of  Rhodope,  on  which  the  niraphe,  that  bore 
A  gyaunt  babe,  herselfe  for  griefe  did  kill ; 
Or  the  Thessalian  Tempe,  where  of  yore 
Fayre  Daphne  Phoebus  hart  with  love  did  gore ; 
Or  Ida,  where  the  gods  lov'd  to  repayre, 
Whenever  they  their  heavenly  bowres  forlore  ^ ; 
Or  sweet  Parnasse,  the  haunt  of  Muses  fayre  ; 

Or  Eden  selfe,  if  ought  with  Eden  mote  compayre. 

63  Much  wondred  Guyon  at  the  fayre  aspect 
Of  that  sweet  place,  yet  suffred  no  delight 
To  sincke  into  his  sence,  nor  mind  affect ; 
But  passed  forth,  and  lookt  still  forward  right, 
Brydling  his  will  and  maystering  his  might, 
Till  that  he  came  unto  another  gate  : 

1  Sjni-it,  breath.  2  Forhre,  forsook. 

LIl.  2.  —  Of  Rhodope.]  Rhodope  was  the  wife  of  Hemns,  king 
nf  Thrace,  and  was  changed  into  the  mountain  of  the  same  name. 
ahe  liad  by  Neptune  the  giant  Athos,  afterwards  changed  into  a 
mountain  of  the  same  name.  I  presume  that  Rhodope  is  the 
"  nimphe  "  mentioned  in  the  text,  but  I  can  find  no  account  of 
her  killing  herself  for  grief    H. 

VOL.  ri.  10 


146  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

No  gate,  but  like  one,  being  goodly  dight* 
With  bowes  and  braunches,  which  did  broad  dilate 
Their  clasping  amies  in  wanton  wreathings  intricate: 

51  So  fashioned  a  porch  with  rare  device, 
Archt  over  head  with  an  embracing  vine. 
Whose  bounches  hanging  downe  seerad  to  entice 
All  passers-by  to  taste  their  lushious  wine. 
And  did  themselves  into  their  hands  incline, 
As  freely  offering  to  be  gathered  ; 
Some  deepe  empurpled  as  the  hyacine,^ 
Some  as  the  rubine  laughing  sweetely  red, 

Some  like  faire  emeraudes,  not  yet  well  ripened : 

65  And  them  amongst  some  were  of  burnisht  gold, 
So  made  by  art  to  beautify  the  rest, 
Which  did  themselves  emongst  the  leaves  enfold, 
As  lurking  from  the  vew  of  covetous  guest. 
That  the  weake  boughes  with  so  rich  load  opprest 
Did  bow  adowne  as  overburdened. 
Under  that  porch  a  comely  Dame  did  rest 
Clad  in  fayre  w'eedes  ^  but  fowle  disordered, 

And  garments  loose  that  seemd  unmeet  for  womau 
bed. 

56  In  her  left  hand  a  cup  of  gold  she  held. 
And  with  her  right  the  riper  fruit  did  reach, 
Whose  sappy  liquor,  that  with  fulnesse  sweld, 
Into  her  cup  she  scruzd'*  with  daintie  breach 


^  Di(/ht,  covered.  ^  Weedes,  clothes. 

2  Uijacine,  hyaciiitb,  or  jacinth.  *  IScruzd,  crushetl- 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  14  7 

Of  her  fine  fingers,  without  fowle  empeach,* 
That  so  faire  winepresse  made  the  wine  more  sweet . 
Thereof  she  usd  to  give  to  drinke  to  each, 
Whom  passing  by  she  happened  to  meet : 
It  was  her  guise  all  straungers  goodly  so  to  greet. 

57  So  she  to  Guyon  offred  it  to  tast ; 
Who,  taking  it  out  of  her  tender  hond, 
The  cup  to  ground  did  violently  cast, 
That  all  in  peeces  it  was  broken  fond,^ 
And  with  the  liquor  stained  all  the  lond : 
Whereat  Excesse  exceedingly  was  wroth, 
Yet  no'te^  the  same  amend,  ne  yet  withstond,- 
But  suflTered  him  to  passe,  all*  were  she  loth; 

Who,   nought   regarding    her    displeasure,    forwartT 
goth. 

58  There  the  most  daintie  paradise  on  ground 
Itselfe  doth  offer  to  his  sober  eye, 

In  which  all  pleasures  plenteously  abownd, 
And  none  does  others  happinesse  envye ; 
The  painted  flowres  ;   the  trees  upshooting  bye ; 
The  dales  for  shade  ;  the  hilles  for  bi'eathing  space  ; 
The  trembling  groves  ;  the  chi-istall  running  by  ; 
And,  that  which  all  faire  workes  doth   most  ag- 

grace,^ 
The    art,   which  all  that  wrought,  appeared    in  no 

place. 

I  Empeach,  impeachment  (of  offence).    ^  j^n^  although. 

^  Fond,  found.  ^ -4<7^race,  givegraceto. 

8  AVfe,  could  not. 


148  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

59  One  would  have  thought,  (so  cunningly  the  rude 
And  scorned  i^artes  were  mingled  with  the  fine,) 
That  Nature  had  for  wantonesse  ensude^ 

Art,  and  that  Art  at  Nature  did  repine ; 
So  striving  each  th'  other  to  undermine, 
Each  did  the  others  worke  more  beautify ; 
So  difF'ring  both  in  willes  agreed  in  fine  ^ : 
So  all  agreed,  through  sweete  diversity, 
This  gardin  to  adorne  with  all  variety. 

60  And  in  the  midst  of  all  a  fountaine  stood, 
Of  richest  substance  that  on  earth  might  bee, 
So  pure  and  shiny  that  the  silver  flood 
Through  every  channell  running  one  might  see; 
Most  goodly  it  with  curious  ymageree 

Was  over-wrought,  and  shapes  of  naked  boyes, 
Of  which  some  seerad  with  lively  ioUitee 
To  fly  about  playing  their  wanton  toyes, 
Whylest  othersdid  themselves  embay  ^  in  liquid  ioyes. 

61  And  over  all  of  purest  gold  was  spred 
A  trayle  of  y  vie  in  his  native  hew  ; 
For  the  rich  metall  was  so  coloured, 
That  wight,  who  did  not  well  avis'd  it  vew. 
Would  surely  deeme  it  to  bee  yvie  trew : 
Low  his  lascivious  armes  adown  did  creepe, 
That,  themselves  dipping  in  the  silver  dew, 
Their  fleecy  flowres  they  fearefuUy  did  steepe. 

Which  drops  of  christall  seemd  for  wantones  to  weep. 


^  Etmuk,  followed,  or  imitated.  8  Einbay,  bathe. 

'  In  fine,  in  the  end. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO   XII.  149 

32  Infinit  strearaes  continually  did  well 

Out  of  tliis  fountaine,  sweet  and  faire  to  see, 
The  which  into  an  ample  laver  fell, 
And  shortly  grew  to  so  great  quantitie, 
That  like  a  litle  lake  it  seemd  to  bee ; 
Whose  depth  exceeded  not  three  cubits  hight, 
That  through  the  waves  one  might  the  bottom  see, 
All  pav'd  beneath  with  iaspar  shining  bright, 

That  seemd  the  fountaine  in  that  sea  did  sayle  upright. 

63  And  all  the  margent  round  about  was  sett 
With  shady  laurell  trees,  thence  to  defend  ^ 
The  sunny  beames  which  on  the  billowes  bett, 
And  those  which  therein  bathed  mote  offend. 
As  Guyon  hapned  by  the  same  to  wend. 
Two  naked  Damzelles  he  therein  espyde, 
Which  therein  bathing  seemed  to  contend 
And  wrestle  wantonly,  ne  car'd  to  hyde 

Theii   dainty  partes    from  vew  of  any  which  them 
eyd. 

64  Sometimes  the  one  would  lift  the  other  quight 
Above  the  waters,  and  then  downe  againe 
Her  plong,  as  over-maystered  by  might, 
Where  both  awhile  would  covered  reraaine, 
And  each  the  other  fi"om  to  rise  restraine  ; 

The  whiles  their  snowy  linibes,  as  through  a  vele, 
So  through  the  christall  waves  appeared  plaine : 
Then  suddeinly  both  would  themselves  unhele,^ 
And  th'  amarous  sweet  spoiles  to  greedy  eyes  revele. 

1  Defend,  keep  off.  2  JJnhele,  uncover. 


150  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

c6  As  that  faire  starre,  the  messenger  of  morne, 
His  deavvy  face  out  of  the  sea  doth  reai'e : 
Or  as  the  Cyprian  goddesse,  newly  borne 
Of  th'  oceans  fruitful!  froth,  did  first  appeare : 
Such  seemed  they,  and  so  their  yellow  heare 
Christalline  humor  dropped  downe  apace. 
"Whom  such  when  Guyon  saw,  he  drew  him  neare, 
And  somewhat  gan  relent  ^  his  earnest  pace ; 

His  stubborne   brest  gan  secret  pleasaunce  to  em- 
brace. 

66  The  wanton  maidens,  him  espying,  stood 
Gazing  awhile  at  his  unwonted  guise  ; 

Then  th'  one  herselfe  low  ducked  in  the  flood, 
Abasht  that  her  a  straunger  did  avise  ^ : 
But  th'  other  rather  higher  did  arise. 
And  her  two  lilly  paps  aloft  displayd. 
And  all,  that  might  his  melting  hart  entyse 
To  her  delights,  she  unto  him  bewrayd  ; 
The  rest,  hidd  underneath,  him  more  desirous  made. 

67  With  that  the  other  likewise  up  arose, 

And  her  faire  lockes,  which  formerly  were  bownd 
Up  in  one  knott,  she  low  adowne  did  lose. 
Which,  flowing  long  and  thick,  her  cloth'd  arownd 
And  th'  y  vorie  in  golden  mantle  gownd : 
So  that  faire  spectacle  from  him  was  reft, 
Yet  that  which  reft  it  no  lesse  faire  was  fownd  : 
So  hidd  in  lockes  and  waves  from  lookers  theft, 
Nought  but  her  lovely  face  she  for  his  looking  left. 

1  Relent,  slacken.  2  Avise,  perceive. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  I5l 

65  "Withall  she  laughed,  and  she  blusht  withall, 
That  blushing  to  her  laughter  gave  more  grace, 
And  laughter  to  her  blushing,  as  did  fall.^ 
Now  when  they  spyde  the  Knight  to  slacke  his  pace 
Them  to  behold,  and  in  his  sparkling  face 
The  secrete  signes  of  kindled  lust  appeare, 
Their  wanton  merirnents  they  did  encreace, 
And  to  him  beckned  to  approch  moi-e  neare, 

And  shewd  him  many  sights  that  corage^  cold  could 
reare  ^ : 

69  On  which  when  gazing  him  the  Palmer  saw, 
He  much  rebukt  those  wandring  eyes  of  his, 
And  counseld  well  him  forward  thence  did  draw. 
Now  are  they  come  nigh  to  the  Bowre  of  Blis, 
Of  her  fond  favorites  so  nam'd  amis  ; 

When  thus  the  Palmer  :  "  Now,  Sir,  well  avise*  ; 
For  here  the  end  of  all  our  traveill  is  : 
Here  wonnes^  Acrasia,  M'hom  we  must  surprise, 
Els  she  will  slip  away,  and  all  our  drift  ®  despise." 

70  Eftsoones  they  heard  a  most  melodious  sound, 
Of  all  that  mote  delight  a  daintie  eare. 

Such  as  attonce  might  not  on  living  ground, 
Save  in  this  paradise,  be  heard  elswhere  : 
Right  hard  it  was  for  wight  which  did  it  heare, 
To  read  '  what  manner  musicke  that  mote  bee  ; 


1  Fall,  befall,  or  happen.  ^  Wonnes,  dwells. 

2  Coraye,  heart,  mind.  6  Diift,  aim,  purpose. 
8  Rem-e,  raise,  excite.  '  Re,ad,  conceive. 

4  Avise^  consider. 


152  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

For  all  that  pleasing  is  to  living  eare 
Was  there  consorted  in  one  harmonee ; 
Birdes,  voices,  instruments,  windes,  waters,  all  agree: 

71  The  ioyous  birdes,  shrouded  in  chearefull  shade, 
Their  notes  unto  the  voice  attempred  sweet ; 
Th'  angelicall  soft  trembling  voyces  made 
To  th'  instruments  divine  respondence  meet ; 
The  silver-sounding  instruments  did  meet 
With  the  base  murraure  of  the  waters  fall ; 
The  waters  fall,  with  difference  discreet. 
Now  soft,  now  loud,  unto  the  wind  did  call ; 

The  gentle  warbling  wind  low  answered  to  all. 

■2  There,  whence  that  musick  seemed  heard  to  bee, 
Was  the  faire  Witch  herselfe  now  solacing 
With  a  new  lover,  whom,  through  sorceree 
And  witchcraft,  she  from  farre  did  tliether  bring : 
There  she  had  him  now  laid  a  slombering 
In  secret  shade  after  long  wanton  ioyes  ; 
Whilst  round  about  them  pleasauntly  did  sing 
Many  faire  ladies  and  lascivious  boyes. 

That  ever  mixt  their  song  with  light  licentious  toyes. 

13  And  all  that  while  right  over  him  she  hong 
With  her  false  eves  fast  fixed  in  his  sight,* 
As  seeking  medicine  whence  she  was  stong, 
Or  greedily  depasturing  delight ; 
And  oft  inclining  downe  with  kisses  light, 
For  feare  of  waking  him,  his  lips  bedewd, 

1  In  Ms  si(jht,  i.  e.  on  his  eyes. 


BOOK    II,       CANTO    XII.  153 

And  through  his  humid  eyes  did  sucke  his  spright, 
Quite  molten  into  lust  and  pleasure  lewd ; 
Wherewith  she  sighed  soft,  as  if  his  case  she  rewd.* 

74  The  whiles  some  one  did  chaunt  this  lovely  lay : 
Ah,  see,  whoso  fayre  thing  doest  faine  -  to  see. 
In  springing  jlowre  the  image  of  thy  day  ^  / 
Ah,  see  the  virgin  rose,  how  sweetly  shee 
Doth  first  peepe  foorth  with  bashfull  modest ee. 
That  fairer  seenies  the  lesse  ye  see  her  may  ! 
Lo  !  see  soone  after,  hoiv  more  hold  and  free 
Her  hared  bosome  she  doth  broad  display  ! 

Lo  !  see  soone  after  how  she  fades  and  falls  away  ! 

1  Rewd,  pitied.  2  Faine,  rejoice,  desire. 

3  The  imar/e  of  thy  day,  the  emblem  of  thy  Ufe. 

LXXIV.,  LXXV.  —  Subjoined  are  the  corresponding  stanzas 
in  Fairfax's  Tasso  (xvi.  14, 15):  — 

"  The  gently-budding  rose,  quoth  she,  behold, 
That  first  scant  peeping  forth  with  virgin  beams. 
Half  ope,  half  shut,  her  beauties  doth  upfold 
In  their  dear  leaves,  and  less  seen,  fairer  seems ; 
And  after  spreads  them  forth  more  broad  and  bold. 
Then  languisheth  and  dies  in  last  extremes; 
Nor  seems  the  same,  that  decked  bed  and  bower 
Of  many  a  lady,  late,  and  paramour. 

"  So,  in  the  passing  of  a  day,  doth  pass. 
The  bud  and  blossom  of  the  life  of  man. 
Nor  e'er  doth  flourish  more,  but  like  the  grass 
Cut  down,  beeometh  withered,  pale  and  wan; 
O  gather  tlien  the  rose  while  time  thou  has, 
Short  is  the  day,  done  when  it  scant  began ; 
Gather  the  rose  of  love,  while  yet  thou  mayst, 
Loving,  be  loved;  embracing,  be  embraced." 


154  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

76  So  passeth,  in  the  passing  of  a  day, 

Of  mortall  life  the  leafe,  the  bud,  theflowre  ; 
Ne  more  doth  florish  after  first  decay, 
ThaJt^  earst  was  sought  to  deck  both  bed  and  bowre 
Of  many  a  lady,  and  many  a  paramowre  ! 
Gather  therefore  the  rose  whilest  yet  is  prime^ 
For  soone  comes  age  that  will  her  pride  defiowre  : 
Gather  the  rose  of  love  whilest  yet  is  time, 

Whilest  loving  thou  mayst  loved  be  with  equall  crime} 

76  He  ceast ;  and  then  gan  all  the  quire  of  birdes 
Their  diverse  notes  t'  attune  unto  his  lay, 

As  in  approvaunce  of  his  pleasing  wordes. 
The  constant  ■•  payre  heard  all  that  he  did  say, 
Yet  swarved  not,  but  kept  their  forward  way 
Through  many  covert  groves  and  thickets  close, 
In  which  they  creeping  did  at  last  display  ^ 
That  wanton  Lady  with  lier  lover  lose,^ 
Whose  sleepie  head  she  in  her  lap  did  soft  dispose. 

77  Upon  a  bed  of  roses  she  was  layd, 

As  faint  through  heat,  or  dight '  to  pleasant  sin  ; 

And  was  arayd,  or  rather  disarayd. 

All  in  a  vele  of  silke  and  silver  thin, 

That  hid  no  wliit  her  alablastcr  skin, 

But    rather   shewd   more    white,    if  moi'e    mig' 

bee: 
More  subtile  web  Arachne  cannot  spin ; 

1  That,  that  which.  6  Displny,  discover. 

2  Prime,  spring.  6  j^„st,  loose. 

8  With  equall  crime,  to  an  equal  degree.       "  Diijhl,  inepai-ed. 
*  Constant,  resolute. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    Xll.  155 

Nor  the  line  nets,  wliich  oft  we  woven  see 
Of  scorched  deaw,  do  not  in  th'  ayre  more  lightly  flee. 

18  Her  snowy  brest  was  bare  to  ready  spoyle 
Of  hungry  eies,  which  n'ote^  therewith  be  fild  ; 
And  yet  through  languour  of  her  late  sweet  toyle, 
Few  drops,  more  cleare  then  nectar,  forth  distild, 
That  like  pure  orient  perles  adowne  it  trild  ^ ; 
And  her  faire  eyes,  sweet  smyling  in  delight, 
Moystened  tlieir  fierie  beames,  with  which  she  thrild 
Fi'aile  harts,  yet  quenched  not ;  like  stari-y  light. 

Which,  sparckling  on  the  silent  waves,  does  seeme 
more  bri";ht. 


o 


T9  The  young  man,  sleeping  by  her,  seemd  to  be 
Some  goodly  swayne  of  honorable  place  ^  ; 
That  certes  it  great  pitty  was  to  see 
Him  his  nobility  so  fovvle  deface  : 
A  sweet  regard  and  amiable  grace. 
Mixed  with  manly  sternesse,  did  appeare. 
Yet  sleeping,  in  his  well-proportiond  face  ; 
And  on  his  tender  lips  the  downy  heare 

Did  now  but  freshly  spring,  and  silken  blossoms  beare. 

80  His  warlike  armes,  the  ydle  instruments 
Of  sleeping  praise,  were  hong  upon  a  tree  ; 

1  JV'ofe,  might  not.  2  Trild,  flowed.  3  Place,  rank. 

LXXVII.  8.  —  Fine  nets.]  Tliis  alludes  to  the  gossamer,  which, 
when  hiden  with  dew-drops,  falls  to  the  ground,  and  is  then  ob- 
served from  its  sparkling  in  the  sun.  When  it  floats  in  the  air,  it 
is  dry.  Hence  Spsnser  fancifully  represents  it  as  consisting  of 
scorched  or  parched  dew.    H. 


156  THE    FAERIE    QUEENi:. 

And  his  brave  shield,  full  of  old  moniments,^ 
Was  fowly  ras't,2  that  none  the  signes  might  see ; 
Ne  for  them  ne  for  honour  cared  hee, 
Ne  ought  that  did  to  his  advauncement  tend  ; 
But  in  lewd  loves,  and  wastfuU  luxuree, 
His  dayes,  his  goods,  his  ')odie  he  did  spend: 
0  horrible  enchantment,  that  him  so  did  blend.' 

81  The  noble  Elfe  and  careful!  Palmer  drew 

So  nigh  them,  minding  nought  but  lustfuU  game, 

That  suddein  forth  they  on  them  rusht,  and  threw 

A  subtile  net,  which  only  for  that  same* 

The  skilful!  Palmer  formally  did  frame : 

So  held  them  under  fast ;  the  whiles  the  rest 

Fled  all  away  for  feare  of  fowler  shame. 

The  faire  Enchauntresse,  so  unwares  opprest, 

Tryde  all  her  arts  and  all  her  sleights  thence  out  to 
wrest  ^; 

sa  And  eke  her  lover  strove  ;  but  all  in  vaine  : 
For  that  same  net  so  cunningly  was  wound, 
That  neither  guile  nor  force  might  it  distraine.* 
They  tooke  them  both,  and  both  tliem  strongly  bound 
In  captive  bandes,  which  there  they  readie  found  ; 
But  her  in  chaines  of  adamant  he  tyde  ; 


1  Monimenis,  marks,  or  memorials.      ■*  Thai  same,  i.  e.  purpose. 

2  Ras't,  erased.  &  Wrest,  escape. 

"  Blend,  blind.  6  Bistraine,  rend. 


LXXXI.  5.  —  Foiinally.]     That  is,  in  a  certain  form.     But  we 
should  probably  read /urmerly.     C. 


BOOK    II.       CANTO    XII.  lo7 

For  nothing  else  might  keepe  her  safe  and  sound  : 
But  Verdant  (so  he  hight)  he  soone  untyde, 
And  counsell  sage  in  steed  thereof  to  him  applyde. 

B3  But  all  those  pleasaunt  bowres,  and  pallace  brave, 
Guyon  broke  downe  with  rigour  pittilesse  : 
Ne  ought  their  goodly  workmanship  might  save 
Them  from  the  tempest  of  his  wrathfulnesse, 
But  that  their  blisse  he  turn'd  to  balefulnesse, 
Their  groves  he  feld  ;  their  gardins  did  deface  ; 
Their  arbers  spoyle  ;  their  cabinets  ^  suppresse  ; 
Their  banket-houses  burne  ;  their  buildings  race ; 

And,  of  the  fayrest  late,  now  made  the  fowlest  place, 

84  Then  led  they  her  away,  and  eke  that  knight 
They  with  them  led,  both  sorrowfuU  and  sad : 
The  way  they  came,  the  same  retourn'd  they  right, 
Till  they  arrived  where  they  lately  had 
Charra'd  those  wild  beasts  that  rag'd  with  furie  mad; 
Which,  now  awaking,  fierce  at  them  gan  fly. 
As  in  their  mistresse  reskevv,  whom  they  lad^; 
But  them  the  Palmer  soone  did  pacify. 

Then  Guyon  askt,  what  meant  those  beastes  which 
there  did  ly. 

86  Sayd  he  :  "  These  seeming  beasts  are  men  indeed, 
Whom  this  Enchauntresse  hath  transformed  thus  ; 
Whylome  her  lovers,  which  her  lustes  did  feed. 
Now  turned  into  figures  hideous, 
Accordiu";  to  their  mindes  like  monstruous." 


*o 


1  Cabinets,  cots.  2  Lad,  led. 


158  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

"  Sad  eiitl,"  quoth  he,  "  of  hfe  intemperate, 
And  mournefuU  meed  of  ioyes  delicious  ! 
But,  Palmer,  if  it  mote  thee  so  aggrate,* 
Let  them  returned  be  unto  their  former  state." 

86  Streightway   he  with    his    vertuous    staife    them 

strooke, 
And  straight  of  beastes  they  comely  men  became  ; 
Yet  being  men  they  did  unmanly  looke, 
And  stared  ghastly  :  some  for  inward  shame, 
And  some  for  wrath  to  see  their  captive  Dame  : 
But  one  above  the  rest  in  speciall, 
That  had  an  hog  beene  late,  bight  Grylle  by  name, 
Repyned  greatly,  and  did  him  miscall^ 
That  had  from  hoggish  forme  him  brought  to  naturall. 

87  Saide  Guyon :  "  See  the  mind  of  beastly  man, 
That  hath  so  soone  forgot  the  excellence 

Of  his  creation,  when  he  life  began. 
That  now  he  chooseth  with  vile  difference 
To  be  a  beast,  and  lacke  intelligence  !  " 
To  whom  the  Pahner  thus  :  "  The  donghill  kinde 
Delightes  in  filth  and  fowle  incontinence  : 
Let  Gryll  be  Gryll,  and  have  his  hoggish  minde  ; 
But  let  us  hence  depart  whilest  wether  serves  and 
winde." 

1  Aygrate,  please.  2  Miscall,  abuse. 

LXXXVI.  I.—  Ilujlit  Grylle.]  Ill  a  dialogue  by  Plutarch, 
Gryllns,  a  companion  of  Ulysses,  who  had  been  changed  into  a 
swine  by  Circe,  holds  a  conversation  with  hiin,  and  refuses  to  be 
restored  to  his  human  shape.     H. 


THE    THIRDS    BOOKE 


OF 


THE   FAERIE    QUEENE, 


CONTAYNING 


THE    LEGEND    OF    BRITOMARTIS,    OR    OF    CHASTITY. 

1  It  falls  me  here  to  write  of  Chastity, 
That  fayrest  vertue,  far  above  the  rest : 

For  which  what  needes  me  fetch  fx-om  Faerv 
Forreine  ensamples  it  to  have  exprest  ? 
Sith  it  is  shrined  in  my  Soveraines  brest, 
And  formd  so  hvely  in  each  perfect  part, 
That  to  all  ladies,  which  have  it  profest, 
Neede  but  behold  the  pourtraict  of  her  hart ; 
If  pourtrayd  it  might  bee  by  any  living  art : 

2  But  living  art  may  not  least  part  expresse, 
Nor  life-resembling  pencill  it  can  paynt : 
AlP  were  it  Zeuxis  or  Praxiteles, 

His  dgedale  ^  hand  would  fade  and  greatly  faynt, 

1  All,  although.  a  Bcedale,  skilful. 


160  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  her  perfections  Avith  his  error  taynt : 
Ne  poets  witt,  that  passeth  painter  farre 
In  picturing  the  parts  of  beauty  daynt,* 
So  hard  a  workemanship  adventure  darre, 
For  fear  through  want  of  words  her  excellence  to 
marre. 

3  How  then  shall  I,  apprentice  of  the  skill 
That  whilome  in  divinest  wits  did  rayne, 
Presume  so  high  to  stretch  mine  humble  quill  ? 
Yet  now  my  luckelesse  lott  doth  me  coni^trayne 
Hereto  perforce :  but,  0  dredd  Soverayne, 
Thus  far  forth  pardon,  sith  that  choicest  witt 
Cannot  your  glorious  pourtraict  figure  playne, 
That  I  in  colourd  showes  may  shadow  itt, 

And  antique  praises  unto  present  persons  fltt. 

4  But  if  in  living  colours,  and  right  hew, 
Thyselfe  thou  covet  to  see  pictured, 
Who  can  it  doe  more  lively,  or  more  trew, 
Then  that  sweete  verse,  with  nectar  sprinckeled, 
In  which  a  gracious  servaunt  pictured 

His  Cynthia,  his  heavens  fayrest  light  ? 
That  with  his  melting  sweetnes  ravished. 
And  with  the  wonder  of  her  beames  bright, 
My  sences  lulled  are  in  slomber  of  delight, 

1  Daynt,  dainty. 


III.  4.  —  Luckelesse  ht.'\     Luckless,  because  he  apprehends  he 
sha'l  not  do  justice  to  the  subject.    H. 

IV.  Z.  —  A  gracious  sei-vaunt.]      Sir   Walter   Raleigh,   in  his 
poem  called  "  Cyntliia." 


BOOK   HI. 


161 


6  But  let  that  same  delitious  poet  lend 

A  little  leave  unto  a  rusticke  Muse 

To  sing  his  Mistresse  prayse ;  and  let  him  mend, 

If  ought  amis  her  liking  may  abuse  : 

Ne  let  his  fayrest  Cynthia  refuse 

In  mirrours  more  then  one  herselfe  to  see ; 

But  either  Gloriana  let  her  chuse, 

Or  in  Belphcebe  fashioned  to  bee  ; 
In  th'  one  her  rule,  in  th'  other  her  rare  chastitee. 


162  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 


CANTO    I. 


Guyon  encountreth  Britomart: 
Fay  re  Florhnell  is  chaced: 

Dnessaes  traines  and  Maleca*- 
taes  1-  champions  are  defaced. 


i  The  famous  Briton  Prince  and  Faery  Knight, 
After  long  wayes  and  perilous  paines  endur'd, 
Having  their  weary  Umbes  to  perfect  plight 
Restord,  and  scry  wounds  right  well  recur'd, 
Of  the  faire  Alma  greatly  were  procur'd^ 
To  make  there  lenger  soiourne  and  abode  ; 
But,  when  thereto  they  might  not  be  allur'd 
From  seeking  praise  and  deeds  of  armes  abrode, 
They  courteous  conge  ^  tooke,  and  foi'th  together  yode.* 

2  But  the  captiv'd  Acrasia  he  sent, 
Because  of  traveill  long,  a  nigher  way, 
AVith  a  strong  gard,  all  reskew  to  pre%'ent, 
And  her  to  Faery  Court  safe  to  convay  ; 

1  Mfilecnsta,  unchaste.  8  Q'nfj^,  leave. 

-  Procur''d,  entreated.  •*  Yode,  went. 

I.  1-  —  The  famous  Briton  Prince.]  Prince  Arthur  remained 
in  tlie  house  of  Ahna  till  the  wounds  he  had  received  in  his 
encounter  with  Maleger  were  healed.  Sir  Guyon,  after  destroying 
the  Bower  of  Bliss,  returned  to  the  house  of  Alma,  from  which  he 
and  Prince  Arthur  now  set  forth.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    I.  ISS' 

That  her  for  witnes  of  his  hard  assay 
Unto  his  Faery  Queene  he  might  present : 
But  he  himselfe  betooke  another  way, 
To  make  more  triall  of  his  hardiment, 
A.nd  seeke  adventures,  as  he  with  Prince  Arthure  went. 

3  Long  so  they  travelled  through  wastefull  wayes, 
Where  daungers  dwelt,  and  perils  most  did  wonne.^ 
To  hunt  for  glory  and  renowmed  prayse  : 

Full  many  countreyes  they  did  overronne. 
From  the  uprising  to  the  setting  smine, 
And  many  hard  adventures  did  atchieve  ; 
Of  all  the  which  they  honour  ever  wonne, 
Seeking  the  weake  oppressed  to  relieve. 
And  to  recover  right  for  such  as  wrong  did  grieve. 

4  At  last,  as  through  an  open  plaine  they  yode, 
They  spipe  a  knight  that  towards  pricked  fayre ; 
And -him  beside  an  aged  squire  there  rode, 

That  seemd  to  couch  ^  under  his  shield  three-square, 
As  if  that  age  badd  hira  that  burden  spare. 
And  yield  it  those  that  stouter  (;ould  it  wield  : 
He,  them  espying,  gan  himselfe  prepare, 
And  on  his  arme  addresse  his  goodly  shield 
That  bore  a  lion  passant  in  a  golden  field. 

5  Which  seeing,  good  Sir  Guyon  dears  besought 
The  Prince,  of  grace,  to  let  him  ronne  that  turne. 

1  Wonne,  dwell.  2  Qntch,  bend. 


IV.  9.  —  These  are  the  legendary  arms  of  Brute,  from  whom 
Britoni;irti.s  is  supposed  to  he  descended. 


164  THE    FAERIE    QUEENK. 

He  graunted  :  then  the  Faery  quickly  raught* 
His  poynant^  speare,  and  sharply  gan  to  spurne® 
His  fomy  steed,  whose  fiery  feete  did  burne 
The  verdant  gras  as  he  thereon  did  tread ; 
Ne  did  the  other  backe  his  foote  returne, 
Rut  fiercely  forward  came  withouten  dread, 
And  bent  his  dreadful  speare  against  the  others  head. 

6  They  beene  ymett,  and  both  theyr  points  arriv'd ; 
But  Guyon  drove  so  furious  and  fell. 
That  seemd  both  shield  and  plate  it  would  have  riv'd; 
Nathelesse  it  bore  his  foe  not  from  his  sell,* 
But  made  him  stagger,  as  he  were  not  well : 
But  Guyon  selfe,  ere  well  he  was  aware. 
Nigh  a  speares  length  behind  his  crouper  fell ; 
Yet  in  his  fall  so  well  himselfe  he  bare, 

That  mischievous  mischaunce  his  life  and  limbs  did 
spare. 

(  Great  sliame  and  sorrow  of  that  fall  he  tooke  ; 
For  never  yet,  sith  warlike  armes  he  bore 
And  shivering  speare  in  bloody  field  first  shooke, 
He  fownd  himselfe  dishonored  so  sore. 
All !  gentlest  knight  that  ever  armor  bore, 
Let  not  thee  grieve  dismounted  to  have  beene, 

1  Raught,  reached.  8  Sjmrne,  spur. 

2  Poynant,  piercing,  sharp.  *  Sell,  saddle. 

VI.  6.  —  But  Gvyon,  &c.]  In  this  encounter  between  Guyon 
and  Britomart,  Upton  discovers  an  liistorical  allusion  to  the  Karl 
ol  Essex's  presuming  to  match  himself  with  Queen  Elizabeth,  and 
Kdds,  "  And  has  not  the  poet  with  the  finest  art  managed  a  very 
dangerous  and  secret  piece  of  history  ?  "     H. 


t 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    I.  165 

And  brought  to  grownd,  that  never  wast  before ; 
For  not  thy  fault,  but  secret  povvre  unseene  ; 
That  speare  enchaunted  was  which  layd  thee  on  the 
greene  ! 

8  But  weenedst  thou  what  wight  thee  overthrew, 
Much  greater  griefe  and  shamefuller  regrett 
For  thy  hard  fortune  then  thou  wouldst  i-enew, 
That  of  a  single  damzell  thou  wert  mett 

On  equall  plaine,  and  there  so  hard  besett : 
Even  the  famous  Britomart  it  was, 
Whom  straunge  adventure  did  from  Britayne  fett* 
To  seeke  her  lover,  (love  far  sought,  alas !) 
Whose  image  shee  had  seene  in  Venus  looking-glas. 

9  Full  of  disdainefuU  wrath,  he  fierce  uprose 
For  to  revenge  that  fowle  repi'ochefull  shame, 
And,  snatching  his  bright  sword,  began  to  close 
With  her  on  toot,  and  stoutly  forward  came ; 
Dye  rather  would  he  then'^  endure  that  same. 
Which  when  his  Palmer  saw,  he  gan  to  feare 
His  toward^  perill,  and  untoward  blame. 
Which  by  that  new  rencounter  he  should  reare  * ; 

For  death  sate  on  the  point  of  that  enchaunted  speare  . 

10  And  hasting  towards  him  gan  fayre  perswade 
Not  to  provoke  misfortune,  nor  to  weene 

1  Fett,  fetcli.  8  Toward,  near  at  hand. 

*  Thai,  than.  *  Reare,  raise,  bring  upon  himself. 

YIII.  6.  —  Britoniartis  is  one  of  the  names  of  Diana,    and  is 
very  happily  employed  by  Spenser  to  denote  a  martial  Britoness. 


« 
166  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

His  speares  default  to  mend  with  cruell  blade ; 
For  by  his  iDightie  science  he  had  scene 
The  secrete  vertue  of  that  weapon  keene, 
That  mortall  puissaunce  mote  not  withstond : 
Nothing  on  earth  mote  alwaies  happy  *  beene ! 
Great  hazard  were  it,  and  adventure  fond,^ 
To  loose  long-gotten  honour  with  one  evill  hond.® 

"  By  such  good  meanes  he  him  discounselled 
From  prosecuting  his  revenging  rage  : 
And  eke  the  Prince  like  treaty  handeled, 
His  wrathfull  will  with  reason  to  aswajre : 
And  laid  the  blame,  not  to  his  carriage, 
But  to  his  starting  steed  that  swarv'd  asyde, 
And  to  the  ill  purveyaunce  of  his  page. 
That  had  his  furnitures  *  not  firmely  tyde  : 

So  is  his  angry  corage  ^  fayrly  pacifyde. 

12  Thus  reconcilement  was  betweene  them  knitt, 
Through  goodly  temperaunce  and  affection  chaste  , 
And  either  vowd  with  all  their  power  and  witt 
To  let  not  others  honour  be  defaste 
Of  friend  or  foe,  whoever  it  emljaste,® 
Ne  armes  to  beare  against  the  others  syde  : 
In  which  accord  "^  the  Prince  was  also  plaste, 
And  with  that  golden  chaine  of  concord  tyde : 

So  goodly  all  agreed,  they  forth  yfere^  did  ryde. 

1  JIapj)y,  successful.  6  Corage,  heart. 

2  Fond,  foolish.  6  Emhaste,  insulted. 
8  Ilond,  act,  performauce.  1  Aicm-d,  agreement. 
*  Fumitures,  equipments.  8  iy^i-e,  together. 


XI.  3.  —  Like  treaty  handeled.]     Made  use  of  the  same  reason 
'ng. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    I.  167 

13  0  goodly  usage  of  those  antique  tymes, 

In  which  the  sword  was  servaunt  unto  right ! 
When  not  for  malice  and  contentious  crymes, 
But  all  for  prayse,  and  proofs  of  manly  might, 
The  martiall  brood  accustomed  to  fight : 
Then  honour  was  the  meed  of  victory, 
And  yet  the  vanquished  had  no  despight : 
Let  later  age  that  noble  use  envy, 
Vyle  rancor  to  avoid  and  cruel  surquedry  * ! 

14  Long  they  thus  travelled  in  friendly  wise, 
Through  countreyes  waste,  and  eke  well  edifyde,* 
Seeking  adventures  hard,  to  exercise 

Their  puissaunee,  whylome  full  dernly  ^  tryde. 
At  length  they  came  into  a  forest  wyde. 
Whose  hideous  horror  and  sad  trembling  sownd 
Full  griesly  *  seemd  :  therein  they  long  did  ryde. 
Yet  tract  of  living  ci'eature  none  they  fownd. 
Save   beares,   lyons,   and  buls,    which  romed  them 
arownd. 

15  All  suddenly  out  of  the  thickest  brush. 
Upon  a  milk-white  palfrey  all  alone, 
A  goodly  Lady  did  foreby^  them  rush, 

Whose  face  did  seeme  as  cleare  as  christall  stone, 
And  eke,  through  feare,  as  white  as  whales  bone: 
Her  garments  all  were  wrought  of  beaten  gold. 
And  all  her  steed  with  tinsell  trappings  shone^ 


1  Swquedry,  insolence.  ■*  Griesly,  grisly,  terrible. 

2  Edifydt,  built.  6  Foi-eby,  by. 

3  Dernly,  sadly. 


168  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENE, 

Which  fledd  so  fast  that  nothing  mote  hirn  hold, 
And  scarse  them  leasure  gave  her  passing  to  behold. 

16  Still  as  she  fledd  her  eye  she  backward  threw, 
As  fearing  evill  that  poursewd  her  fast ; 
And  her  faire  yellow  locks  behind  her  flew, 
Loosely  disperst  with  puff  of  every  blast : 
All  as  a  blazing  starre  doth  farre  outcast 
His  hearie  ^  beames,  and  flaming  lockes  dispredd, 
At  sight  whereof  the  people  stand  aghast ; 
But  the  sage  wisard  telles,  as  he  has  redd, 

That  it  importunes  ^  death  and  dolefuU  dreryhedd.' 

n  So  as  they  gazed  after  her  a  whyle, 

Lo  !  where  a  griesly  foster^  forth  did  rush. 
Breathing  out  beastly  lust  her  to  defyle  : 
His  tyreling^  iade  he  fiersly  forth  did  push 
Through  thicke  and  thin,  both  over  banck  and  bush, 
In  hope  her  to  attaine  by  hooke  or  crooke. 
That  from  his  gory  sydes  the  blood  did  gush : 
Large  wei'e  his  limbes,  and  terrible  his  looke, 

And  in  his   clownish  hand   a   sharp  bore-speare  he 
shooke. 

18  Which  outrage  when  those  gentle  Knights  did  see, 
Full  of  great  envy  and  fell  gealosy, 

1  Iltmie,  hairy.  ■*  Foster,  forester. 

2  Iiiijidrtunes,  portends.  5  Tyrdlny,  Imckney  (  ?  ). 
8  Drenjhtdd,  sorrow. 

XVIII.  2. — Full  of  (/real  envy,  &c.]     Both  envy  and  gealot^ 
bje  used  here  in  the  good  ■•eiise  ol'  iudiuuation.     C. 


BOOR    XII.       CANTO    I.  169 

They  stayd  not  to  avise  ^  who  first  should  bee, 
But  all  spurd  after,  fast  as  they  mote  fly, 
To  reskew  her  from  shameful!  villany. 
The  Prince  and  Guyon  equally  bylive'^ 
Herselfe  pursewd,  in  hope  to  win  thereby 
Most  goodly  meede,  the  fairest  dame  alive : 
But  after  the  foule  foster  ^  Timias  did  strive. 

19  The  whiles  faire  Britoinart,  whose  constant  mind 
Would  not  so  lightly  follow  beauties  chace, 

Ne  reckt  of  ladies  love,  did  stay  behynd  ; 
And  them  awayted  there  a  certaine  space, 
To  weet  if  they  would  turne  backe  to  that  place  : 
But,  when  she  saw  them  gone,  she  forward  went, 
As  lay  her  iourney,  through  that  perlous*  pace,* 
"With  stedfast  corage  and  stout  hardiment ; 
Ne  evil  thing  she  feard,  ne  evill  thing  she  ment. 

20  At  last,  as  nigh  out  of  the  wood  she  came, 
A  stately  castle  far  away  she  spyde, 

To  which  her  steps  directly  she  did  frame. 
That  castle  was  most  goodly  edifyde, 
And  plaste  for  pleasure  nigh  that  forrest  syde : 
But  faire  before  the  gate  a  spatious  playne, 


1  Avise,  consider.  ^  Perlws,  perilous. 

2  Bylive,  qui  3k.  ^  Pace,  pass. 
8  Foster,  forester. 


XVIII.  6.—  The  Pnnce  and  Guyon,  &c.]  Tliese  adventures 
ire  resumed  in  Canto  IV.  Stanza  45,  and  Canto  VI.  Stanza  54. 

XVIIl.  9.  —  Timms.]  Timias  is  Prince  Artlmr's  squire,  snp- 
oosed  to  represent  Sir  Walter  Raleigli.    H. 


170  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENE. 

Mantled  with  greene,  itselfe  did  spredden  ^  wyde, 
On  which  she  saw  six  knights,  that  did  darrayne''' 
Fiers    battaill   against   one    with   cruel    might   and 
mayne. 

ai  Mainely®  they  all  attonce  upon  him  laid, 
And  sore  beset  on  every  side  arownd. 
That  nigh  he  breathlesse  grew,  yet  nought  dismaid, 
Ne  ever  to  them  yielded  foot  of  grownd, 
All  had  he  lost  much  blood  through  many  a  wownd; 
But  stoutly  dealt  his  blowes,  and  every  M'ay, 
To  which  he  turned  in  his  wrathfull  stownd,* 
Made  them  recoile,  and  fly  from  dredd  decay. 

That  none  of  aU  the  six  before  him  durst  assay  ®  : 

22  Like  dastard  curres,  that,  having  at  a  bay 
The  salvage  beast  embost®  in  wearie  chace, 
Dare  not  adventure  on  the  stubborne  pray, 
Ne  byte  before,  but  rome  from  place  to  place 
To  get  a  snatch  when  turned  is  his  face. 

In  such  distresse  and  doubtfull  ieopardy 
When  Britomart  him  saw,  she  ran  apace 
Unto  his  reskew,  and  with  eai'nest  cry 
Badd  those  same  sixe  forbeare  that  single  enimy. 

23  But  to  her  cry  they  list  not  lenden  eare, 

Ne  ought  the  more  their  mightie  strokes  surceasse  ; 
But,  gathering  him  rownd  about  more  neare. 
Their  direful!  rancour  rathei-  did  encreasse  ; 

1  Sjn-efMen,  spread.  4  Simond,  moment,  mood. 

2  Diirraijne,  wage.  S  I.  e.  attack  liim  in  front 
8  Muinely,  strongly.  6  Embost^  tired  out. 


BOOK   III.       CANTO    1  171 

Till  that  she  rushing  through  the  thickest  preasse 
Perforce  disparted  their  compacted  gyre,^ 
And  soone  comi)eld  to  hearken  unto  peace : 
Tho  gau  she  myldly  of  them  to  inquyre 
The  cause  of  their  dissention  and  outrageous  yre. 

24  Whereto  that  single  Knight  did  answere  frame  : 
"  These  six  would  me  enforce,  by  oddes  of  might, 
To  chaunge  my  liefe,'^  and  love  another  dame  ; 
That  death  me  liefer  ^  were  then  such  despight, 
So  unto  wrong  to  yield  my  wi-ested  right : 
For  I  love  one,  the  truest  one  on  grownd, 
Ne  list  me  chaunge  ;  she  th'  Errant  Damzell  hight 
For  whose  deare  sake  full  many  a  bitter  stownd 

I  have  «^ndurd,  and  tasted  many  a  bloody  wownd." 

2.5  "  Cartes,"  said  she,  "  then  beene  ye  sixe  to  blame, 
To  weene  your  wrong  by  force  to  iustify  : 
For  knight  to  leave  his  lady  were  great  shame 
That  faithfull  is ;  and  better  were  to  dy. 
All  losse  is  lesse,  and  lesse  the  infamy. 
Then  losse  of  love  to  him  that  loves  but  one  : 
Ne  may  Love  be  corapeld  by  maislery  * ; 

1  Gyre,  circle.  *  Liefer,  preferable. 

2  Liefe,  love.  ■*  Maislery,  superior  power. 


XXIV    7.  —  Th'  Errant  Damzell.]     Una,  who  is  so  called  in 
Book  II.  Canto  I.  Stanza  19. 
XXV.  7.  —  Ne  may  Love,  &c.] 

"  Love  wil  noulit  buen  consti'eyned  by  niaistr6. 
Whan  maistre  conimeth,  the  god  of  love  anon 
Beteth  bis  winges,  and  fare  wel,  he  is  gon." 

Canterbury  Tales  (Wright)  11076-78. 


172  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

For,  soone  as  maistery  comes,  sweet  Love  anone 
Taketh  his  nimble  winges,  and  soone  away  is  gone." 

96  Tlien  spake  one  of  those  six  :  "  There  dwelleth  here 
Within  this  castle  wall  a  lady  fayre, 
Whose  soveraine  beautie  hath  no  living  pere  ; 
Thereto  so  bounteous  and  so  debonayre,* 
That  never  any  mote  with  her  compayi'e  : 
She  hath  ordaind  this  law,  which  we  approve, 
That  every  knight  which  doth  this  way  repayre, 
In  case  he  have  no  lady  nor  no  love, 

Shall  doe  unto  her  service,  never  to  remove : 

27  "  But  if  he  have  a  lady  or  a  love. 

Then  must  he  her  forgoe  with  fowle  defame,^ 
Or  els  with  us  by  dint  of  sword  approve, 
That  she  is  fairer  then  our  fairest  Dame ; 
As  did  this  Knight,  before  ye  hether  came." 
"  Perdy,"  said  Britomart,  "  the  choise  is  hard  ! 
But  what  reward  had  lie  that  overcame  ?  " 
"  He  should  advaunced  bee  to  high  regard," 

Said  they,  "  and  have  our  Ladies  love  for  his  reward. 

23  "  Therefore  aread,*  Sir,  if  thou  have  a  love." 
•'  Love  have  I  sure,"  quoth  she,  '*  but  lady  none  ; 
Yet  will  I  not  fro  mine  owne  love  remove, 
Ne  to  your  Lady  will  I  service  done,* 
But  wreake  your  wronges  wrought  to  this  Knight 

alone, 
And  prove  his  cause."    With  that,  her  mortall  speare 

1  Dekmiiyre,  gracious.  8  Avend,  declare. 

2  Difamc.  dishonor.  4  Done,  do. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    1.  178 

She  mightily  aventred^  towai'ds  one, 
And  downe  him  smot  ere  well  aware  he  weare'; 
Then  to  the  next  she  rode,  and  downe  the  next  did 
beare. 

29  Ne  did  she  stay  till  three  on  ground  she  layd, 
That  none  of  them  himselfe  could  reare  againe  : 
The  fourth  was  by  that  other  Knight  dismayd, 
All  were  he  wearie  of  his  former  paine ; 

That  now  there  do  but  two  of  six  remaine ; 
Which  two  did  yield  before  she  did  them  smight. 
"  Ah ! "  sayd  she  then,  "  now  may  ye  all  see  plaine, 
That  Truth  is  strong,  and  trew  Love  most  of  might, 
That  for  his  trusty  servaunts  doth  so  strongly  fight." 

30  "  Too  well  we  see,"  saide  they,  "  and  prove  too  well 
Our  faulty  weakenes,  and  your  matchlesse  might : 
Forthy,^  faire  Sir,  yours  be  the  Damozell, 
Which  by  her  owne  law  to  your  lot  doth  light. 
And  we  your  liegemen  faith  unto  you  plight." 

So  underneath  her  feet  their  swords  they  mard,* 
And,  after,  her  besought,  well  as  they  might, 
To  enter  in  and  reape  the  dew  reward  : 
She  graunted ;  and  then  in  they  all  together  far'd. 

11  Long  were  it  to  describe  the  goodly  frame 
And  stately  port  of  Castle  loyeous, 

I  Aventred,  adventured,  aimed.  ^  Fovlhy,  therefore. 

■■'  Weave,  were.  *  Mavd,  marred,  debased. 

XXXI.  2. —  Castle  loyeous.]     This  is  the  name  of  Sir  Lance- 
lot's castle  in  tlie  Morte  d' Arthur.    H. 


174  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

(For  SO  that  castle  hight  by  commun  name,) 
Where  they  were  entertaynd  with  courteoua 
And  comely  glee  of  many  gratious 
Faire  ladies,  and  of  many  a  gentle  knight ; 
Who,  through  a  chamber  long  and  spacious, 
Eftsoones  them  brought  unto  their  Ladies  sight, 
That  of  them  cleeped  ^  was  the  Lady  of  Delight. 

32  But  for  to  tell  the  sumptuous  aray 

Of  that  great  chamber  should  be  labour  lost ; 

For  living  wit,  I  weene,  cannot  display 

The  roiall  riches  and  exceeding  cost 

Of  every  pillour  and  of  every  post, 

Which  all  of  purest  bullion  framed  were, 

And  with  great  perles  and  pretious  stones  embost; 

That  the  bright  glister  of  their  beames  cleare 

Did  sparckle  forth  great  light,  and  glorious  did  ap- 
peare. 

83  These   stranger   Knights,  through  passing,  forth 
were  led 
Into  an  inner  rowme,  whose  royaltee 
And  rich  purveyance^  might  uneath'  be  red*; 
Mote  princes  place  beseeme  so  deckt  to  bee. 
Whicii  stately  manner  whenas  they  did  see. 
The  image  of  superfluous  riotize,^ 
Exceeding  much  the  state  of  meane^  degree, 
They  greatly  wondred  whence  so  sumpteous  guize 

Might  be  maintajnd,  and  each  gan  diversely  devize. 

1  Cleeped,  called.  *  Red,  imatjined. 

2  Purveynme.,  fnniitiire.  6  Ri„tize,  extravagance. 

3  Uneath,  with  dllfiuulty.  6  Meam,  moderate. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    I.  175 

34  The  wals  were  round  about  appareiled 
With  costly  clothes  of  Ai-ras  and  of  Toure  ; 
In  which  with  cunning  hand  was  pourtrahed 
The  love  of  Venus  and  her  paramoure, 
The  fayre  Adonis,  turned  to  a  flowre  ; 
A  worke  of  rare  device  and  wondrous  wit. 
First  did  it  shew  the  bitter  balefull  stowre,* 
Which  her  assayd  with  many  a  fervent  fit, 

When  first  her  tender  hart  was  with  his  beautie  smit : 

36  Then  with  what  sleights  and  sweet  allurements  she 
Entyst  the  boy,  as  well  that  art  she  knew. 
And  wooed  him  her  paramoure  to  bee  ; 
Now  making  girlonds  of  each  fllowre  that  grew, 
To  crowne  his  golden  lockes  with  honour  dew ; 
Now  leading  him  into  a  secret  shade 
From  his  beauperes,^  and  from  bright  heavens  vew, 
Where  him  to  sleepe  she  gently  would  perswade, 

Or  bathe  him  in  a  fountaine  by  some  covert  glade  : 

36  And,  whilst  he  slept,  she  over  him  would  spred 
Her  mantle  colour'd  like  the  starry  skyes, 
And  her  soft  arme  lay  underneath  his  hed, 
And  with  ambrosiall  kisses  bathe  his  eyes  ; 
And,  whilst  he  bath'd,  with  her  two  crafty  spyes* 
She  secretly  would  search  each  daintie  lim, 
And  throw  into  the  well  sweet  rosemaryes, 
And  fragrant  violets,  and  paunces  *  trim  ; 

And  ever  with  sweet  nectar  she  did  sprinkle  him. 

1  Stotore,  distress.  8  ^PV^s,  I.  e.  eyes. 

9  Bemtperes,  fair  companions.  *  Paunces,  pansies. 


17G  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

ji  So  did  she  stoale  his  heedelesse  hai't  away, 
And  ioyd  his  love  in  secret  unespyde  : 
But  for  she  saw  him  bent  to  cruell  play, 
To  hunt  the  salvage  beast  in  forrest  wyde, 
Dreadful!  ^  of  daunger  that  mote  him  betyde, 
She  oft  and  oft  adviz'd  him  to  refraine 
From  chase  of  greater  beastes,  whose  brutish  pryde 
Mote  breede  him  scath  unwares  :  but  all  in  vaine  ; 

For  who  can  shun  the  chance  that  dest'ny  doth  or- 
daine  ? 

?e  Lo  !  where  beyond^  he  lyeth  languishing. 
Deadly  engored  of  a  great  wilde  bore  ; 
And  by  his  side  the  goddesse  groveling 
Makes  for  him  endlesse  mone,  and  evermore 
With  her  soft  garment  wipes  away  the  gore 
Which  staynes  his  snowy  skin  with  hatefuU  hew  : 
But,  when  she  saw  no  helpe  might  him  restore, 
Ilim  to  a  dainty  flowre  she  did  transmew,^ 

Which  in  that  cloth  was  wrought,  as  if  it  lively  grew. 

SQ  So  was  that  chamber  clad  in  goodly  wize : 
And  rownd  about  it  many  beds  were  diglit, 
As  whylome  was  the  antique  worldes  guize, 
Some  for  untimely  ease,  some  for  delight, 
As  pleased  them  to  use  that  use  it  might : 
And  all  was  full  of  damzels  and  of  squyres, 

1  DreadfuU,  fearful.  8  Transmew,  change. 

2  Beijond,  fit  a  distance. 


XXXVIII.  8. — A  dainty Jlm:re.\     The  anemone.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    I. 


177 


Dauncing  and  reveling  both  day  and  night, 
And  swimming  deepe  in  sensuall  desyres  ; 
And  Cupid  still  emongest  them  kindled  lustfull  fyres. 

40  And  all  the  while  3weet  musicke  did  divide 
Her  looser  notes  with  Lydian  harmony  ; 
And  all  the  while  sweete  birdes  thereto  applide 
Their  daintie  layes  and  dulcet  melody, 
Ay  caroling  of  love  and  iollity, 
That  Avonder  was  to  heare  their  trim  consort.-^ 
Which  when  those  Knights  beheld,  with  scornefull 

eye 
They  sdeigned^  such  lascivious  disport, 

And  loath'd  the  loose  demeanure  of  that  wanton  sort.® 

11  Thence  they  were  brought  to  that  great  Ladies  vew, 
Whom  they  found  sitting  on  a  sumptuous  bed 
That  glistred  all  with  gold  and  glorious  shew, 
As  the  proud  Persian  queenes  accustomed : 
She  seemd  a  woman  of  great  bountihed 
And  of  rare  beautie,  saving  that  askaunce 
Her  wanton  eyes  (ill  signes  of  womanhed) 
Did  roll  too  lightly,  and  too  often  glaunce, 

Without  regard  of  grace  or  comely  amenaunce.* 

1  Trim  consdrt,  pleasing  concert.        ^  Sort,  company. 

2  Sikit/ned,  disdained.  *  Amenaunce,  behavior. 


XL.  2.  —  With  Lydian  hnrmony.']     Tlif>  Lydinii  music  was  "up- 
posed  to  be  of  a  soft  and  voluptuous  diameter.     'I'lius  Drydcn :  — 

"  Softly  sweet,  in  Lydian  measures, 
Soon  he  soothed  liis  soul  to  pleasures."    H. 
vor,.  II.  12 


178  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENE. 

42  Long  worke  it  were,  and  needlesse,  to  devize' 
Their  goodly  entertainement  and  great  glee  : 
She  caused  them  be  led  in  courteous  wize 
Into  a  bowre,^  disarmed  for  to  be, 
And  cheared  well  with  wine  and  spiceree : 
The  Redcrosse  Knight  was  soone  disarmed  there ; 
But  the  brave  Mayd  would  not  disarmed  bee, 
But  onely  vented  up  her  umbriere,^ 

And  so  did  let  her  goodly  visage  to  appere. 

4?  As  when  fayre  Cynthia,  in  darkesome  night, 
Is  in  a  noyous  cloud  enveloped, 
"VVliere  she  mayfinde  the  substance  thin  and  light, 
Breakes  forth  her  silver  beames,  and  her  bright  bed 
Discovers  to  the  world  discomfited,* 
Of  the  poore  traveller  that  went  astray 
With  thousand  blessings  she  is  heried  ^ ; 
Such  was  the  beautie  and  the  shining  ray 

With  which   fayre   Britomart   gave   light    unto  the 
day. 

44  And  eke  those  six,  which  lately  with  her  fought, 
Now  were  disarmd,  and  did  themselves  present 
Unto  her  vew,  and  company  unsought ; 
For  they  all  seemed  courteous  and  gent,® 
And  all  sixe  brethren,  borne  of  one  parent. 
Which  had  them  traynd  in  all  civilitee, 
And  goodly  taught  to  tilt  and  turnament ; 

1  Devize,  describe.  6  iJeried,  praised. 

2  Bowre,  chamber.  6  6'eH<,  noble. 

•  Vented  up  her  uinbnere,  raised  her  visor. 

*  DisconijUed,  dejected. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO   I.  17^ 

Now  were  they  liegmen  to  this  Ladie  free, 
And  her  knights-service  ought,^  to  hold  of  her  in  fee.. 

15  The  first  of  them  by  name  Gardante  hight, 
A  iolly  ^  -pei-son,  and  of  comely  vew ; 

The  second  was  Parlante,  a  bold  knight ; 
And  next  to  him  locante  did  ensew*; 
Basciante  did  himselfe  most  courteous  shew  ; 
But  fierce  Bacchante  seemd  too  fell  and  keene;- 
And  yett  in  armes  Noctante  greater  grew  : 
All  were  faire  knights,  and  goodly  well  beseene^  - 
But  to  faire  Britomart  they  all  but  shadowes  beene. 

16  For  shee  was  full  of  amiable  grace 
And  manly  terror  mixed  therewithall  ; 
That  as  the  one  stird  up  affections  bace, 
So  th'  other  did  mens  rash  desires  apall, 
And  hold  them  backe  that  would  in  errox*  £ill : 
As  hee  that  hath  espide  a  vei-meill  rose, 

1  Ou(jht,  owed.  "  Ensew,  follow. 

2  lolly,  handsome.  *  Beseene,  appearing. 


XLIV.  9.  —  Kniglifs-service  our/ht]  The  tenure  by  knights- 
service  was  the  most  honorable  one  known  to  the  Eno;lish  law.  To 
constitute  it,  a  determinate  quantity  of  land,  calleJ  a  "  knight's 
fee,"  -was  necessary ;  and  the  tenant  was  obliged  to  attend  the 
lord  of  whom  he  held  to  the  war  forty  days  in  every  year,  if  called 
upon.    H. 

XLV.  1.  —  Jlie  frst  of  them,  &c.]  The  names  of  these  six 
persons  are  appropriate  to  the  attendants  upon  Malecasia,  or  In- 
continence. Gardante  means  a  gazer,  or  ogler ;  Parlante,  a  prat- 
tler; Jocantc,  a  jester;  Basciante,  one  who  kisses;  Bacchanti,  a 
irinker  of  wine;  and  Noctante,  a  reveller  by  night.    H. 


180  THE    FAERIE    QUEEN E. 

To  which  sharpe  thornes  and  breres  the  way  for- 

stall. 
Dare  not  for  dread  his  hardy  hand  expose, 
But,  wishing  it  far  off,  his  ydle  wish  doth  lose. 

47  "Whom  when  the  Lady  saw  so  faire  a  wight, 
All  ignoi-ant  of  her  contrary  sex, 

(For  shee  her  weend  a  fresh  and  lusty  knight,) 
Shee  greatly  gan  enamoured  to  wex, 
And  with  vaine  thoughts  her  falsed  -^  fancy  vex : 
Her  fickle  hart  conceived  hasty  fyre, 
Like  sparkes  of  fire  which  fall  in  sclender  flex,* 
That  shortly  brent*  into  extreme  desyre, 
And  ransackt  all  her  veines  with  passion  entyre. 

48  Eftsoones  shee  grew  to  great  impatience. 
And  into  tennes  of  open  outrage  brust,* 
That  pluine  discovered  her  incontinence  ; 

Ne  reckt  shee  who  her  meaning  did  mistrust ; 
For  she  was  given  all  to  fleshly  lust, 
And  poured  forth  in  sensuall  delight. 
That  all  regard  of  shame  she  had  discust,® 
And  meet  respect  of  honor  putt  to  fliglit : 
So  shamelesse  beauty  soone  becomes  a  loathly  sight 

19  Faire  Ladies,  that  to  love  captived  arre. 
And  chaste  desires  doe  nourish  in  your  mind. 
Let  not  her  fault  your  sweete  affections  marre  ; 
Ne  blott  the  bounty"  of  all  womankind 

1  Faked,  deceived.  4  Biiisl,  burst. 

2  Flex.  flax.  6  Discust,  thrown  oflF. 

3  BrcHl,  burnt.  6  Bounty,  goodness. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    I.  181 

'Mongst  thousands  good,  one  wanton  dame  to  find : 
Emongst  the  roses  grow  some  wicked  weeds 
For  this  was  not  to  love,  but  lust,  inclind ; 
For  love  does  alwaies  bring  forth  bounteous  *  deeds, 
And  in  each  gentle  hart  desire  of  honor  breeds. 

50  Nought  so  of  love  this  looser  dame  did  skill,^ 
But  as  a  cole  to  kindle  fleshly  flame. 
Giving  the  bridle  to  her  wanton  will, 
And  treadincr  under  foote  her  honest  name : 
Such  love  is  hate,  and  such  desire  is  shame. 
Still  did  she  I'ove^  at  her  with  crafty  glaunce 
Of  her  false  eies,  that  at  her  hart  did  ayme, 
And  told  her  meaning  in  her  countenaunce  : 

But  Britomart  dissembled  it  with  ignoraunce.* 

61  Supper  was  shortly  dight,^  and  downe  they  satt; 
Where  they  were  served  with  all  sumptuous  fare, 
Whiles  fruitfuU  Ceres  and  Lyteus  fatt 
Pourd  out  their  plenty,  without  spight^  or  spare; 
Nought  wanted  there  that  dainty  was  and  I'are : 
And  aye  the  cups  their  bancks  did  overflow  ; 
And  aye  betweene  the  cups  she  did  prepare 
Way  to  her  love,  and  secret  darts  did  throw  ; 

But  Britomart  would  not  such  guilfull  message  know. 

1  Bounteous,  virtuous.  6  Bif/ld,  prepared. 

2  Skill,  understand.  6  Spigkt,  grudge. 
8  Rove,  shoot. 

*  Dissembled  it  with  ignwaunce,  feigned  not  to  understand  her 
conduct. 

LI.  3.  — Lyceuf.]    A  name  of  Bacchus,  used  here  for  wine,  as 
Ceres  is  for  food.    H. 


182  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

62  So,  when  they  slaked  had  the  fervent  heat 
Of  appetite  with  meates  of  every  sort, 
The  Lady  did  faire  Britomart  entreat 
Her  to  disarme,  and  with  delightful!  sport 
To  loose  her  warlike  limbs  and  strong  effort : 
But  when  shea  mote  not  thereunto  be  wonne, 
(For  shee  her  sexe  under  that  straunge  purport^ 
Did  use  to  hide,  and  plaine  apparaunce  shonne,) 

In  playner  wise  to  tell  her  grievaunce  she  begonne  ; 

63  And  all  attonce  discovered  her  desire 

With  sighes,  and  sobs,  and  plaints,  and  piteous 

griefe. 
The  outward  sparkes  of  her  in-burning  fire  : 
Which  spent  in  vaine,  at  last  she  told  her  briefe, 
That,  but  if  she  did  lend  her  short  reliefe 
And  doe  her  comfort,  she  mote  algates  ^  die. 
But  the  chaste  Damzell,  that  had  never  priefe* 
Of  such  malengine"*  and  fine  forgery e,^ 
Did  easely  beleeve  her  strong  extremitye. 

64  Full  easy  was  for  her  to  have  beliefe. 
Who  by  self-feeling  of  her  feeble  sexe, 
And  by  long  triall  of  tlie  inward  griefe 
Wherewitli  imperious  love  her  hart  did  vexe, 
Could  iudge  what  paines  doe  loving  harts  perplexfc. 

1  Purport,  disguise.  ■*  MaUnyine,  guile. 

2  Al(j(Ues,  ut  all  events.  6  Forgerye,  deceit. 
*  Priefii,  proof. 


MI.  6. —  To  loose,  iSic]    To  lay  aside  her  arms,  and  relax  thp 
Bt»niness  of  her  demeanor.    II. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    I.  183 

WTio  raeanes  no  guile,  be  guiled  soonest  shall, 
And  to  faire  semblaunce  doth  light  *  faith  annexe  : 
The  bird,  that  knowes  not  the  false  fowlers  call, 
Into  his  hidden  nett  full  easely  doth  fall. 

55  Forthy^  she  would  not  in  discourteise  wise 
Scorne  the  faire  offer  of  good  will  profest ; 
For  great  rebuke  it  is  love  to  despise, 
Or  rudely  sdeigne  a  gentle  harts  request ; 
But  with  faire  countenaunce,  as  beseemed  best, 
Her  entertaynd  ;  nath'lesse  shee  inly  deemd 
Her  love  too  light,  to  wooe  a  wandring  guest ; 
Which  she  misconstruing,  thereby  esteemd 

That  from  like  inward  fire  that  outward  smoke  had 
steemd. 

6G  Therewith  awhile  she  her  flit  ^  fancy  fedd. 
Till  she  mote  winne  fit  time  for  her  desire  ; 
But  yet  her  wound  still  inward  freshly  bledd, 
And  throusrh  her  bones  the  false  instilled  fire 
Did  spred  itselfe,  and  venime  close*  inspire. 
Tho  were  the  tables  taken  all  away  ; 
And  every  knight,  and  every  gentle  squire, 
Gan  choose  his  dame  with  bascimano^  gay, 

With  whom  he  ment  to  make  his  sport  and  courtly 
play. 

S7  Some  fell  to  daunce  ;  some  fel  to  hazardry"; 
Some  to  make  love  ;  some  to  make  meryment ; 

1  L'ujht,  ready.  *  Close,  secret. 

2  Foiihy,  therefore.  ^  Buscimano,  hand-kissing. 
8  Flit,  rapid.  *  Ilazardry,  ganaing. 


184  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

As  diverse  witts  to  diverse  things  apply : 
And  all  the  while  faire  Malecasta  bent 
Her  crafty  engins  to  her  close  intent. 
By  this  th'  eternall  lampes,  wherewith  high  love 
Doth  light  the  lower  world,  were  halfe  yspent, 
And  the  moist  daughters  of  huge  Atlas  strove 
Into  the  ocean  deepe  to  drive  their  weary  drove. 

08  High  time  it  seemed  then  for  everie  wight 
Them  to  betake  unto  their  kindly  rest : 
Eftesoones  long  waxen  torches  weren  light 
Unto  their  bowres  ^  to  guyden  every  guest : 
Tho,  when  the  Britonesse  saw  all  the  rest 
Avoided^  quite,  she  gan  herselfe  despoile, 
And  safe  committ  to  her  soft  fethered  nest ; 
Wher  through  long  watch,  and  late  dales  weary  toile. 

She  soundly  slept,  and  careful!  thoughts  did  quite 
assoile.* 

69  Now  whenas  all  the  world  in  silence  deepe 
Yshrowded  was,  and  every  mortall  wight 
Was  drowned  in  the  depth  of  deadly  sleepa ; 
Faire  Malecasta,  whose  engrieved  spright 
Could  find  no  rest  in  such  perplexed  plight, 
Lightly  arose  out  of  her  wearie  bed, 
And,  under  the  blacke  vele  of  guilty  night, 

1  Bom-es,  chambers.  8  Assoile,  put  off. 

2  Amided,  depiirted. 


LVII.  8.  —  And  the.  moist  dnughiers,  &c.]  T'le  Hyades,  called 
moist  because  they  set  at  twilight  in  the  rainy  months  of  August 
»nd  November. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    I.  185 

Her  with  a  scarlott  mantle  covered 
That  was  with  gold  and  ermines  faire  enveloped. 

60  Then  panting  softe,  and  trembling  every  ioynt, 
Her  fearfull  feete  towards  the  bowre  she  raov'd, 
Where  she  for  secret  purpose  did  appoynt 

To  lodge  the  warlike  Maide,  unwisely  loov'd ; 
And,  to  her  bed  approching,  first  she  proov'd 
Whether  she  slept  or  wakte :  with  her  softe  hand 
She  softely  felt  if  any  member  moov'd, 
And  lent  her  wary  eare  to  understand 
If  any  puffe  of  breath  or  signe  of  sence  shee  fond. 

61  Which  whenas  none  she  fond,  with  easy  shifte, 
For  feare  least  her  un wares  she  should  abrayd,^ 
Th'  embroderd  quilt  she  lightly  up  did  lifte, 
And  by  her  side  herselfe  she  softly  layd, 

Of  every  finest  fingers  touch  affrayd  ; 
Ne  any  noise  she  made,  ne  word  she  spake, 
But  inly  sigh'd.     At  last  the  royall  Mayd 
Out  of  her  quiet  slomber  did  awake, 
And  chaungd  her  weary  side  the  better  ease  to  take. 

62  Where  feeling  one  close  couched  by  her  side, 
She  lightly  lept  out  of  her  filed  ^  bedd, 

And  to  her  weapon  ran,  in  minde  to  gride' 
The  loathed  leachour :  but  the  Dame,  halfe  dedd 
Through  suddeine  feare  and  ghastly  drerihedd,* 
Did  shrieke  alowd,  that  through  the  hous  it  rong. 


1  Ahrayd,  awake.  ^  Gmk,  pierce. 

2  Fikd,  defiled.  ■*  Drerihedd,  horror. 


186  THE    t'AEUIE    QQEENE. 

And  the  wliole  family,  therewith  adredd,^ 
Rashly^  out  of  their  rouzed  couches  sprong, 
And  to  the  troubled  chamber  all  in  armes  did  throng. 

63  And  those  sixe  knights,  that  Ladies  champions, 
And  eke  the  Redcrosse  Knight  ran  to  the  stownd,^ 
Ilalfe  armd  and  halfe  unarmd,  with  them  attons*  : 
AVhere  when  confusedly  they  came,  they  fownd 
Their  Lady  lying  on  the  sencelesse  grownd : 

On  th'  other  side  they  saw  the  warlike  Mayd 
Al  in  her  snow-white  sraocke,  with  locks  unbownd, 
Threatning  the  point  of  her  avenging  blaed  ; 
That  with  so  troublous  terror  they  were  all  dismayd. 

64  About  their  Ladye  first  they  flockt  ai'ownd ; 
Wliom  having  laid  in  comfortable  couch, 
Shortly  they  reard  out  of  her  frosen  swownd ; 
And  afterwardes  they  gan  with  fowle  reproch 

To  stirre  up  strife,  and  troublous  contecke  ^  broch' : 
15ut,  by  ensample  of  the  last  dayes  losse, 
None  of  them  rashly  durst  to  her  approch, 
Ne  in  so  glorious  spoile  themselves  embosse': 
Her   succounl    eke    the    Champion    of    the    Bloody 
Crosse. 

65  But  one  of  those  sixe  knights,  Gardante  hight, 
Drew  out  a  deadly  bow  and  arrow  keene, 
Which  forth  he  sent  with  felonous  despight 

1  Adredd,  frightened.  6  Contecke,  contention. 

2  RuM;i,  hastily.  6  Broch,  broach. 

8  Sloirml,  noise,  alarm :  or  place.         7  Embosse,  fivtigue. 
^  AUuns,  together. 


HOOK   III.       CANTO    I.  187 

And  fell  intent  against  the  Virgin  sheene  : 
Tiie  mortall  Steele  stayd  not  till  it  was  seene 
To  gore  her  side  ;  yet  was  the  wound  not  deepe, 
But  lightly  rased  her  soft  silken  skin, 
That  drops  of  purple  blood  thereout  did  weepe, 
Which  did   her  lilly  smock  with  staines  of  vermeil 
steep. 

66  Wherewith  enrag'd  she  fiercely  at  them  flew, 
And  with  her  flaming  sword  about  her  layd, 
That  none  of  them  foule  mischiefe  could  eschew, 
But  with  her  dreadfull  strokes  were  all  dismayd: 
Here,  there,  and  every  where,  about  her  swayd 
Her  wrathfuU  Steele,  that  none  mote  it  abyde ; 
And  eke  the  Redcrosse  Knight  gave  her  good  ayd, 
Ay  ioyning  foot  to  foot,  and  syde  to  syde  ; 

Tliat  in  short  space  their  foes  they  have  quite  terrifyde. 

67  Tho  whenas  all  were  put  to  shamefull  flight, 
The  noble  Britomartis  her  arayd, 

And  her  bright  armes  about  her  body  dight: 
For  nothing  would  she  lenger  there  be  stayd, 
Where  so  loose  life,  and  so  ungentle  trade,* 
Was  usd  of  knights  and  ladies  seeming  gent'' : 
So,  earely,  ere  the  grosse  earthes  gryesy^  shade 
Was  all  disperst  out  of  the  firmament. 
They  tooke  their  steeds,  and  forth  upon  their  ioumey 
went. 


1  Trade,  conduct.  8  Gryesy,  moist,  or  foggy. 

*  Gent,  high-bred. 


188  THE    FAERIE    QUEENB. 


CANTO   II. 


The  Redcrosse  Knight  to  Britomart 

Describeth  Artegull: 
The  wondrous  Jh'rrhour,  by  which  she 

In  love  with  him  did  fall. 


1  Here  have  I  cause  in  men  iust  blame  to  find, 
Tliat  in  their  proper  praise  too  partiall  bee, 
And  not  indifferent*  to  woman  kind, 

To  whom  no  share  in  armes  and  chevalree 
They  doe  impart,  ne  maken  memoree 
Of  their  brave  gestes^  and  prowesse  martiall : 
Scarse  doe  they  spare  to  one,  or  two,  or  three, 
Rowme  in  their  writtes^ ;  yet  the  same  writing  small 
Does  all  their  deedes  deface,  and  dims  their  glories  all. 

2  But  by  record  of  antique  times  I  finde 

That  wemen  wont  in  warres  to  beare  most  sway, 
And  to  all  great  exploites  themselves  inclind, 
Of  which  they  still  the  girlond  bore  away  ; 
Till  envious  men,  fearing  their  rules  decay,* 
Gan  coyne  streight  lawes  to  curb  their  liberty: 
Yet,  sith  they  warlike  armes  have  laide  away, 

i  Mijferent,  impartial.  *  Writtes,  writings. 

2  Gcsles,  deeds. 

*  I.  e.  the  decline  of  their  own  authority. 


BOOK   111.      CANTO    II.  189 

They  have  exceld  iii  artes  and  pollicy, 
That  now  we  foolish  men  that  prayse  gin  eke  t'  envy. 

s  Of  warlike  puissaunce  in  ages  spent,^ 
Be  thou,  faire  Britomart,  whose  prayse  I  wryte ; 
But  of  all  wisedom  bee  thou  precedent, 
O  soveraine  Queene,  whose  prayse  I  would  endyte, 
Endite  I  would  as  dewtie  doth  excyte ; 
But  ah !  my  rymes  to  rude  and  rugged  arre, 
When  in  2  so  high  an  obiect  they  doe  lyte, 
And,  striving  fit  to  make,  I  feare  doe  marre : 

Thyselfe  thy  prayses  tell,  and  make  them  knowen 
farre. 

4  She,  travelling  with  Guyon,  by  the  way 
Of  sondry  thinges  faire  purpose^  gan  to  find, 
T'  abridg  their  iourney  long  and  lingring  day  : 
Mongst  which  it  fell  into  that  Fairies  mind 
To  aske  this  Briton  Maid,  what  uncouth  *  wind 
Brought  her  into  those  partes,  and  what  inquest^ 
Made  her  dissemble  her  disguised  kind®: 
Faire  lady  she  him  seemd,  like  lady  drest, 

But  fairest  knight  alive,  when  armed  was  her  brest. 


1  Spent,  passed.  *  Uncouth,  strange. 

2  In,  i.  e.  on.  ^  Inquest,  quest,  or  adventure. 
8  Pwpose,  discourse.  ^  Kbul,  sex. 


III.  4.  —  0  soveraine  Queene.]  This  is  an  invocation  to  Queen 
Klizabeth.   H. 

IV.  1. —  Travelling  with  Guyon.]  This  is  a  mistake.  Guyon 
went  in  quest  of  Florimel,  in  tlie  first  Canto,  and  Britomart  is  now 
In  company  with  tlie  Red-cross  Knight.    H. 


190  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

6  Thereat  she  sighing  softly  had  no  powre 
To  speake  awhile,  ne  ready  answere  make ; 
But  with  hart-thrilling  tlii-obs  and  bitter  stowre,* 
As  if  she  had  a  fever  fitt,  did  quake, 
And  every  daintie  limbe  with  horrour  shake  ; 
And  ever  and  anone  the  rosy  red 
Flasht  through  her  face,  as  it  had  beene  a  flake 
Of  lightning  through  bright  heven  fulniined  : 

At  last,  the  passion  past,  she  thus  him  answered : 

6  "  Faire  Sir,  I  let  you  weete,^  that  from  the  howre 
I  taken  was  from  nourses  tender  pap, 

I  have  beene  trained  up  in  warlike  stowre, 
To  tossen  speare  and  shield,  and  to  affrap' 
The  warlike  ryder  to  his  most  mishap  ; 
Sithence  *  I  loathed  have  my  life  to  lead, 
As  ladies  wont,  in  pleasures  wanton  lap. 
To  finger  the  fine  needle  and  nyce  thread; 
Me  lever"   v/ere  with  point   of  foemans  speare  be 
dead. 

7  "  All  ray  delight  on  deedes  of  armes  is  sett, 
To  hunt  out  perilles  and  adventures  hard, 
By  sea,  by  hind,  whei'e.so  they  may  be  mett, 
Onely  foi-  honour  and  for  high  regard, 
Without  respect  of  richesse  or  reward  : 
For  sut^h  intent  into  these  partes  I  came, 
Withouten  compasse  or  withouten  card, 


1  Stmore,  strupjiles,  contentions.        *  Sithence,  sinco. 

2  Let  yim  weete,  iiifoini  you.  6  Me  lever,  I  would  rather. 
8  Affriip,  strike. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    II.  191 

Far  fro  my  native  soyle,  that  is  by  name 
The  Greater  Brj'tayne,  liere  to  seeke  for  praise  and 
fame. 

e  "  Fame  blazed  hath,  that  here  in  Faery  Lend 
Doe  many  famous  knightes  and  ladies  wonne,^ 
And  many  straunge  adventures  to  bee  fond. 
Of  which    great  worth    and    worship  ^    may   be 

wonne : 
Which  to  prove,  I  this  voyage  have  begonne. 
But  mote  I  weet  of  you,  right  courteous  Knight, 
Tydings  of  one  that  hath  unto  me  donne 
Late  foule  dishonour  and  reprochfull  spight, 
The  which  I  seeke  to    wreake,    and    Arthegall   he 
hijrht." 


D 


9  The  word  gone  out  she  backe  againe  would  call, 
As  her  repenting  so  to  have  missayd, 
But  that  he,  it  uptaking  ere  the  fall,^ 
Her  shortly  answered  :  "  Faire  raartiall  Mayd, 
Certes  ye  misavised  beene  t'  upbrayd 
A  gentle  knight  with  so  unknightly  blame  : 
For  weet  ye  well,  of  all  that  ever  playd 
At  tilt  or  tourney,  or  like  warlike  game, 
I  he  noble  Arthegall  hath  ever  borne  the  name.* 


-^o- 


1  Wonne,  dwell.  2  Worship,  honor. 

"  I.  e.  before  the  words  had  fallen  from  her  mouth. 
4  I.  e.  of  "  gentle  knight." 

Vn.  9.  —  The  Greater  Brytayne.]  Church  says  that  this  means 
Wales,  <ind  is  so  called  to  distinguish  it  from  Lesser  Brittany,  in 
France     Fairy  Land  is  England  proper.    H. 


192  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

10  "  Forthy  *  great  wonder  were  it,  if  such  shame 
Should  ever  enter  in  his  bounteous  ^  thought, 
Or  ever  doe  that  mote  deserven  blame  : 

The  noble  corage  ^  never  weeneth  ought 
That  may  unworthy  of  itselfe  be  thought. 
Therefore,  faire  Damzell,  be  ye  well  aware, 
Least  that  too  farre  ye  have  your  sorrow  sought : 
You  and  your  countrey  both  I  wish  welfare, 
A.nd  honour  both ;  for  each  of  other  worthy  are." 

11  The  royall  maid  woxe  inly  wondrous  glad, 
To  heare  her  Love  so  highly  magnifyde ; 
And  ioyd  that  ever  she  affixed  had 

Her  hart  on  knight  so  goodly  glorifyde, 
However  finely  she  it  faind  to  hyde. 
The  loving  mother,  that  nine  monethes  did  beare 
In  the  deare  closett  of  her  painefull  syde 
Her  tender  babe,  it  seeing  safe  appeare, 
Doth  not  so  much  reioyce  as  she  reioyced  theare. 

12  But  to  occasion  him  to  further  talke. 

To  feed  her  humor  with  his  pleasing  style. 
Her  list  *  in  stry  full  '^  termes  with  him  to  balke. 
And  thus  replyde  :  "  However,  Sir,  ye  fyle 
Your  courteous  tongue  his  prayses  to  compyle,' 


1  Forthy,  therefore.  6  Stry  full,  contentious. 

2  Bounteous,  good,  noble.  «  Balke,  deal  in  cross  purposes. 
8  Omuje,  heart.  7  Cbmjjyle,  heap  up. 

*  /Zcr  list,  it  pleased  her. 


6 


X.  7.  —Lest  you  have  already  gone  too  far  in  pursuit  of  unde 
served  revenge  upon  him  who  is  the  cause  of  your  sorrow.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    U.  193 

It  ill  beseomes  a  knight  of  gentle  sort, 
Such  as  ye  have  him  boasted,  to  beguyle 
A  simple  maide,  and  worke  so  hainous  toiV 
In  shame  of  knighthood,  as  I  largely  can  report. 

13  "  Let  bee  therefore  my  vengeaunce  to  disswade, 
And  read,2  where  I  that  fay  tour  ^  false  may  find." 
"  Ah  !  but  if  reason  faire  might  you  perswade 
To  slake  your  wrath,  and  mollify  your  mind," 
Said  he,  "  perhaps  ye  should  it  better  find: 

For  bardie  thing  it  is,  to  weene  by  might 
That  man  to  hard  conditions  to  bind  ; 
Or  ever  hope  to  match  in  equall  fight, 
Whose  prowesse  paragone*  saw  never  living  wight. 

14  "  Ne  soothlich  ^  is  it  easie  for  to  read 

Where  now  on  earth,  or  how,  he  may  be  fownd ; 
For  he  ne  wonneth®  in  one  certeine  stead,'' 
But  restlesse  walketh  all  the  world  arownd, 
Ay  doing  thinges  that  to  his  fame  redownd, 
Defending  ladies  cause  and  orphans  right, 
Whereso  he  heares  that  any  doth  confownd 
Them  comfortlesse,  through  tyranny  or  might ; 
So  is  his  soveraine  honour  raisde  to  hevens  hight." 

15  His  feeling  wordes  her  feeble  sence  much  pleased, 
And  softly  sunck  into  her  molten  hart : 

Hart,  that  is  inly  hurt,  is  greatly  eased 

1  T(n-t,  wrong.  ^  Soothlich,  truly. 

«  Read,  declare.  ^  Wbnneth,  dwelleth. 

8  Fmjtour,  deceiver.  '  Stead,  place. 

*  I.  e.  the  like  of  whose  prowesse. 
vol,.  II.  13 


194  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

With  hope  of  thing  that  may  allegge  ^  his  smart ; 
For  pleasing  wordes  are  like  to  magick  art, 
That  doth  the  charmed  snake  in  slomber  lay : 
Such  secrete  ease  felt  gentle  Britomart, 
Yet  list  the  same  efforce^  with  faind  gainesay  :  — 
So  dischord  ofte  in  musick  makes  the  sweeter  lay :  — 

16  And  sayd  :  "  Sir  Knight,  these  ydle  termes  forbeare ; 
And,  sith  it  is  uneath  ^  to  finde  his  haunt, 
Tell  me  some  raarkes  by  which  he  may  appeare, 
If  chaunce  I  him  encounter  paravaunt*  ; 
For  perdy  one  shall  other  slay,  or  daunt : 
What  shape,  what  shield,  what  armes,  what  steed, 

what  stedd,^ 
And  whatso  else  his  person  most  may  vaunt." 
All  which  the  Redcrosse  Knight  to  point  aredd,® 

And  him  in  everie  part  before  her  fashioned. 

n  Yet  him  in  everie  part  before  she  knew, 
However  list  her  now  her  knowledge  fayne, 
Sith  him  whylome  in  Brytayne  she  did  vew, 
To  her  revealed  in  a  mirrhour  playne  ; 
Whereof  did  grow  her  first  engraffed  payne, 
Whose  root  and  stalke  so  bitter  yet  did  taste, 
That,  but  the  fruit  more  sweetnes  did'  contayne, 
Her  wretched  dayes  in  dolour  ®  she  mote  waste, 

And   yield    the   pray  of  love   to  lothsome   death  at 
last. 

1  Alkf/ge,  siUay.  6  Stedd,  place. 

2  Ffforie,  extort.  6  To  point  aredd,  exactly  described- 
8  ttieath,  hard.  V  j.  e.  should. 

*  Paravaunt,  publicly?         8  Dolour,  grief. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    II.  195 

^^  By  straunge  occasion  she  did  him  behold, 

And  much  more  straungely  gan  to  love  his  sight, 

As  it  in  bookes  hath  written  beene  of  old. 

In  Deheubarth,  that  now  South-Wales  is  hight, 

What  time  King  Ryence  raign'd  and  dealed  right,. 

The  great  Magitien  Merlin  had  deviz'd, 

By  his  deepe  science  and  hell-dreaded  might, 

A  looking-glasse,  right  wondrously  aguiz'd,^ 

Whose  vertues  through  the  wyde  worlde  soone  were^ 
solemniz'd.^ 

19  It  vertue  had  to  shew  in  perfect  sight 
Whatever  thing  was  in  the  world  contaynd, 
Betwixt  the  lowest  earth  and  hevens  hight, 
So  that  it  to  the  looker  appertaynd : 
Whatever  foe  had  wrought,  or  frend  had  fayndj 
Therein  discovered  was,  ne  ought  mote  pas, 
Ne  ought  in  secret  from  the  same  remaynd  ; 
Forthy  ^  it  round  and  hollow  shaped  was. 

Like  to  the  world  itselfe,  and  seemd  a  world  of  glas. 

20  Who  wonders  not,  thatreades  so  wonderous  worke  ? 
But  who  does  wonder,  that  has  red  the  towre 


1  Aguiz^d,  fashioned.  8  Forthy,  therefore. 

2  Solemniz\l,  celebrated. 


XX.  —  The  story  of  this  tower  is  appnrently  derived  from  some 
mediasval  legend  about  the  Pharos  of  Ptolemy  Philadelphus,  in 
which,  perhaps,  Phno  tooli  the  place  of  the  historical  Arsinoe. 
The  king  wa?,  no  doubt,  confounded  with  Ptolemy  the  Astrono- 
mer, who,  says  Warton,  "  was  famous  among  the  Eastern  writers 
and  their  followers  for  his  skill  in  operations  of  glass."     C. 


196  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE, 

Wherein  th'  Aegyptian  Phao  long  did  lurk 
From  all  mens  vew,  that  none  might  herdiscoure,^ 
Yet  she  might  all  men  vew  out  of  her  bowre  ^  ? 
Great  Ptoloma?e  it  for  his  lemans  sake 
Ybiiilded  all  of  glasse,  by  magicke  powre, 
And  also  it  impregnable  did  make  ; 
Yet,  when  his  Love  was  false,  he  with  a  peaze '  it 
brake. 

ei  Such  was  the  glassy  globe  that  Merlin  made, 
And  gave  unto  King  Ryence  for  his  gard,* 
That  never  foes  his  kingdome  might  invade, 
But  he  it  knew  at  home  before  he  hard"* 
Tydings  thereof,  and  so  them  still  debar'd : 
It  was  a  famous  present  for  a  Prince, 
And  worthy  worke  of  infinite  reward. 
That  treasons  could  bewray,  and  foes  convince": 

Happy  this  realme,  had  it  remayned  ever  since  I 

22  One  day  it  fortuned  fayre  Britomart 
Inlo  her  fathers  closet  to  repay  re  ; 
For  nothing  he  from  her  I'eserv'd  apart, 
Being  his  onely  daughter  and  his  hayre ; 
Where  when  she  had  espyde  that  mirrhour  fayre, 

1  Discoure,  discover  *  Gard,  protection. 

2  Bmn-e,  chamber.  6  Hard,  lieard. 

*  Peaze,  blow.  6  Convince,  discover. 

XXI.  —  Similar  to  tliis  glassy  globe  were  the  mirror  sent  to 
Cambuscan  by  the  king  of  Arabic  and  Inde  (Canterbury  Tales, 
V.  10446),  the  mirror  erected  by  Virgil  in  Rome,  described  by 
Gower,  and  many  others  mentioned  in  romantic  poetry.  —  See  War 
ton's  History  Vol.  II.  p.  178.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    II.  197 

He/selfe  awhile  therein  she  vevvd  in  vaine  : 
Tho,  her  avizing  *  of  the  vertues  rare 
Which  thereof  spoken  were,  she  gan  againe 
Her  to  bethinke  of  that  mote  to  herselfe  pertaine. 

23  But  as  it  falleth,  in  the  gentlest  harts 
Imperious  Love  hath  highest  set  his  throne, 
And  tyranpizeth  in  the  bitter  smarts 

Of  them,  that  to  him  buxome  ^  are  and  prone . 
So  thought  this  mayd  (as  maydens  use  to  done) 
Whom  fortune  for  her  husband  would  allot ; 
Not  that  she  lusted  after  any  one, 
For  she  was  pure  from  blame  of  sinfuU  blott ; 
Yet  wist  her  life  at  last  must  lincke  in  that  same 
knot. 

24  Eftsoones  there  was  presented  to  her  eye 

A  comely  knight,  all  arm'd  in  complete  wize,'* 
Through  whose  bright  ventayle,*  lifted  up  on  hye, 
His  manly  face,  that  did  his  foes  agrize  ^ 
And  frends  to  termes  of  gentle  truce  entize, 
Lookt  foorth,  as  Phcebus  face  out  of  the  east 
Betwixt  two  shady  mountaynes  doth  arize  : 
Portly^  his  person  was.  and  much  increast 
Through  his  heroicke  grace  and  honorable  gest.* 


1  Avizing,  bethinking.  ^  Agrize,  terrify. 

2  Buxome,  yielding.  s  Portly,  stately. 
8  Wize,  manner.                                     "^  Gest,  carriage. 

4  Ventayle,  beaver,  the  part  of  the  helmet  which  hfted  up. 

XXII.  6.  —  In  vaine.]     Because,   looking  into   it  without  any 
definite  purpose,  she  sr.w  nothing  but  her  own  image     II. 


198  THE    FAERIE    QUEENK. 

26  His  crest  was  covered  with  a  couchant  hownd, 
And  all  his  armour  seemd  of  antique  mould, 
But  wondrous  massy  and  assured  sownd, 
And  round  about  yfretted  all  with  gold, 

In  which  there  written  was,  with  cyphres  old, 
Achilles  amies  which  Arthegall  did  win : 
And  on  his  shield  enveloped  sevenfold 
He  bore  a  crowned  litle  ermilin,^ 
That  deckt  the  azure  field  with  her  fayre  pouldred  ^ 
skin.  I 

86  The  Damzell  well  did  vew  his  personage, 
And  liked  well  ;  ne  further  fastned  not. 
But  went  her  way ;  ne  her  unguilty  age 
Did  weene,  un wares,  that  her  unlucky  lot 
Lay  hidden  in  the  bottome  of  tlie  pot : 
Of  hurt  unwist  most  daunger  doth  redound  : 
But  the  false  archer,  which  that  arrow  shot 
So  slyly  that  she  did  not  feele  the  wound, 

Did  smyle  full  smoothly  at  her  weetlesse^  wofull 
stound.'* 

27  Thenceforth  the  fether  in  her  lofty  crest. 
Ruffed^  of  Love,  gan  lowly  to  availe  '^ ; 

1  Eiinilin,  ermine.  *  Stound,  plight. 

2  Pouldred,  spotted.  8  Ruffed,  ruffled. 
8  Weetlesse,  unconscious.  6  Availe,  sink. 

XXV.  6.  —  Arthegall  ( Arthur's  peer)  is  meant  for  Arthur, 
Lord  Grey  of  Wilton,  and  the  arms  seem  to  be  devised  in  allusion 
to  his  name.     Upton. 

XXVI.  2.  —  Ne  furthei' fast.neJ  not.]  Her  thoughts  dwelt  no 
Taore  upon  it.    H. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    II.  199 

4nd  ter  prowd  portaunce^  and  her  princely  gest, 
With  which  she  earst  tryumphed,  now  did  quaile : 
Sad,  solerane,  sowre,  and  full  of  fancies  fraile, 
She  woxe ;  yet  wist  she  nether  how,  nor  why ; 
She  wist  not,  silly  Mayd,  what  she  did  aile, 
Yet  wist  she  was  not  well  at  ease  perdy  ; 
Yet  thought  it  was  not  love,  but  some  melancholy. 

28  So  soone  as  Night  had  with  her  pallid  hew 
Defaste  ^  the  beautie  of  the  shyning  skye. 
And  reft  from  men  the  worldes  desired  vew. 
She  with  her  nourse  adowne  to  sleepe  did  lye ; 
But  sleepe  full  far  away  from  her  did  fly : 

In  stead  thereof  sad  sighes  and  sorrowes  deepe 
Kept  watch  and  ward  about  her  warily. 
That  nought  she  did  but  wayle,  and  often  steepe 
Her  dainty  couch  with  teares  which  closely  ^  she  did 
weepe. 

29  And  if  that  any  drop  of  slombring  rest 

Did  chaunce  to  still  ^  into  her  weary  spright, 
When  feeble  nature  felt  herselfe  opprest, 
Streightway   with   dreames,   and    with    fantastick 

sight 
Of  dreadfuU  things,  the  same  was  put  to  flight ; 
That  oft  out  of  her  bed  she  did  astart, 
As  one  with  vew  of  ghastly  feends  affright : 
Tho  gan  she  to  renew  her  former  smart, 
Aiul  thinke  of  that  fayre  visage  written  in  her  hart. 


1  Pm-tnunce,  port.  8  Qosehj,  secretly. 

2  Defaste,  defaced.  ■*  Still,  drop,  flow. 


200  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

50  One  night,  when  she  was  tost  with  such  unrest, 
Her  aged  nourse,  whose  name  was  Glauce  hight. 
Feeling  her  leape  out  of  her  loathed  nest, 
Betwixt  her  feeble  armes  her  quickly  keight,* 
And  downe  againe  her  in  her  warme  bed  dight'^: 
«  Ah  !  my  deare  daughter,  ah  !    my  dearest  dread, 
"What  uncouth  fit,"  sayd  she,  "  what  evill  plight, 
Hath  thee  opprest,  and  with  sad  drearyhead  * 

Chaunged   thy  lively  cheare,  and  living  made  thee 
dead  ? 

51  "  For  not  of  nought  these  suddein  ghastly  feares 
All  niglit  afflict  thy  naturall  repose ; 

And  all  the  day,  whenas  thine  equall  peai-es 
Their  fit  disports  with  faire  delight  doe  chose, 
Thou  in  dull  corners  doest  thyselfe  inclose ; 
Ne  tastest  princes  pleasures,  ne  doest  spred 
Abroad  thy  fresh  youths  fayrest  flowre,  but  lose 
But  leafe  and  fruite,  both  too  untimely  shed, 
As  one  in  wilfuU  bale'*  for  ever  buried. 

V2  "  The  time  that  mortall  men  their  w^ry  cares 
Do  lay  away,  and  all  wilde  beastes  do  I'est, 
And  every  river  eke  his  course  forbeares, 
Then  doth  this  wicked  evill  thee  infest, 
And  rive  with  thousand  throbs  thy  thrilled  ®  br^st : 
Like  an  huge  Aetn'  of  deepe  engulfed  gryefe, 
Sorrow  is  heaped  in  thy  hollow  chest, 


1  Keirjht,  caught.  4  Bnle,  sorrow. 

2  Dii/lil,  disposed,  placed.  6  Thrilled,  pierced. 
*  Drearyhead,  sorrow. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    II.  201 

Whence  foorth  it  breakes  in  sighes  and  anguish  ryfe, 
Aij  smoke  and  sulphure  mingled  with  contused  stiyfe. 

33  "  Ay  me !  how  much  I  feare  least  love  it  bee  ! 
But  if  that  love  it  be,  as  sure  I  read 
By  knowen  signes  and  passions  which  I  see, 
Be  it  worthy  of  thy  race  and  royall  sead, 
Then  I  avow,  by  this  most  sacred  head 
Of  ray  deare  foster  childe,  to  ease  thy  griefe 
And  win  thy  will.     Therefore  away  doe  dread ; 
For  death  nor  daunger  from  thy  dew  reliefe 

Shall  me  debarre:  tell  me,  therefore,  my  liefest  Uefe  ^ ! " 

31  So  having  sayd,  her  twixt  her  armes  twaine 

Shee  streightly^  straynd,  and  colled^  tenderly; 

And  every  trembling  ioynt  and  every  vaine 

Shee  softly  felt,  and  rubbed  busily. 

To  doe  the  frosen  cold  away  to  fiy ; 

And  her  faire  deawy  eies  with  kisses  deare 

Shee  ofte  did  bathe,  and  ofte  againe  did  dry : 

And  ever  her  iraportund  not  to  feare 
To  let  the  secret  of  her  hart  to  her  appeare. 

»6  The  Damzell  pauzd  ;  and  then  thus  fearfully  : 
"  Ah  !  nui'se,  what  needeth  thee  to  eke  ■•  my  paine  ? 
Is  not  enough  that  I  alone  doe  dye, 
But  it  must  doubled  bee  with  death  of  twaine  ? 
For  nought  for  me  but  death  there  doth  remaine !  " 
"O  daughter  deare,"  said  she,  "  despeire  no  whit: 
For  never  sore  but  misjht  a  salve  obtaine  : 


o 


A  JAiifest  Uefe.  dearest  dear.      ^  Colled,  clasped  round  the  neck 
2  Btreiyhtly,  closely.  *  Eke,  increase. 


202  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  blinded  god,  which  hath  ye  blindly  smit, 
Anotlier  arrow  hath  your  lovers  hart  to  hit." 

86  "  But  mine  is  not,"  quoth  she,  "  like  other  wownd; 
For  wliich  no  reason  can  finde  remedy." 
"  Was  never  such,  but  mote  the  like  be  fovvnd," 
Said  she  ;  "  and  though  no  reason  may  apply 
Salve  to  your  sore,  yet  Love  can  higher  stye^ 
Then  Reasons  reach,  and  oft  hath  wonders  donne." 
"  But  neither  god  of  love  nor  god  of  skye 
Can  doe,"  said  she,  "  that  which  cannot  be  donne." 

"  Things  ofte  impossible,"  quoth  she,  "  seeme,  ere  be- 
gonne." 

37  "  These  idle  wordes,"  said  she, "  doe  nought  aswage 
My  stubborne  smart,  but  more  annoiaunce  breed : 
For  no,  no  usuall  fire,  no  usuall  rage 
Yt  is,  0  nourse,  which  on  my  life  doth  feed, 
And  Slicks  the  blood  which  from  my  hart  doth  bleed. 
But  since  tliy  faithfull  zele  lets  me  not  hyde 
My  crime,  (if  crime  it  be,)  I  will  it  reed.^ 
Nor  prince  nor  pere  it  is,  whose  love  hath  gryde  * 

My  feeble  brest  of  late,  and  launched  this  wound  wyde 

39  "  Nor  man  it  is,  nor  other  living  wight ; 
For  then  some  hope  I  might  unto  me  draw  ; 
Bui  th'  only  sliade  and  semblant^  of  a  knight, 
Whose  shape  or  person  yet  I  never  saw. 
Hath  me  subiected  to  Loves  cruell  law  : 
The  same  one  day,  as  me  misfortune  led, 

»  Stye,  mount.  8  Giy/c.  pierced. 

a  lictd,  declare.  4  Sanblanl,  appearance. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    II.  203 

T  in  my  fathers  wondrous  mirrhour  saw, 
And,  pleased  with  that  seeming  goodlyhed,^ 
Un wares  the  hidden  hooke  with  baite  I  swallowed. 

S9  "  Sithens^  it  hath  infixed  faster  hold 
Within  my  bleeding  bowells,  and  so  sore 
Now  ranckleth  in  this  same  fraile  fleshly  mould, 
That  all  mine  entrailes  flow  with  poisnous  gore, 
And  th'  ulcer  groweth  daily  more  and  more  ; 
Ne  can  my  ronning  sore  finde  remedee, 
Other  then  my  hard  foi-tuue  to  deplore. 
And  languish  as  the  leafe  fain  from  the  tree, 

Till  death  make  one  end  of  my  dales  and  miseree  ! " 

40  "  Daughter,"  said  she,  "  what  need  ye  be  dismayd  ? 
Or  why  make  ye  such  monster  of  your  rainde? 
Of  much  more  uncouth^  thing  I  was  affrayd  ; 

Of  filthy  lust,  contrary  unto  kinde* : 
But  this  affection  nothing  straunge  I  finde ; 
For  who  with  reason  can  you  aye  reprove 
To  love  the  semblaunt  pleasing  most  your  minde, 
And  yield  your  heart  whence  ye  cannot  remove  ? 
No  guilt  in  you,  but  in  the  tyranny  of  Love. 

41  "  Not  so  th'  Arabian  Myrrhe  did  sett  her  mynd; 
Nor  so  did  Biblis  spend  her  pining  hart; 

1  Goodlyhed,  goodliness.  8  Uncutilh,  strange. 

2  Silhens,  since  that  time.  *  Kindt,  nature. 

XL.  2.  —  Or  why  make,  &c.]  Why  speak  of  your  passion  as 
if  it  were  monstrous  or  unnatural  ?    H. 

XLI.  1. —  TW  Arabian  Mijniic,  See]  Myrrha  and  Byblis  are 
tiame.,  associated  with  chissicul  tales  of  incestuous  passion.    II. 


204  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  lov'd  their  native  flesh  against  al  kynd, 
And  to  their  purpose  used  wicked  art: 
Yet  playd  Pasiphae  a  more  monstrous  part, 
That  lov'd  a  bul,  and  learnd  a  beast  to  bee  : 
Such  shameful!  lusts  who  loaths  not,  which  deparl 
From  course  of  nature  and  of  modestee  ? 
Swete  Love  such  lewdnes  bands  ^  from  his  faire  com- 
panee. 

42  "  But   thine,  my  deare,   (wel  fare  thy  heart,  my 

deare !) 
Though  straunge  beginning  had,  yet  fixed  is 
On  one  that  worthy  may  pei'haps  appeare ; 
And  certes  seemes  bestowed  not  amis  : 
loy  thereof  have  thou  and  eternall  blis  ! " 
With  that,  upleaning  on  her  elbow  weake, 
Her  alablaster  brest  she  soft  did  kis, 
Which  all  that  while  shee  felt  to  pant  and  quake, 
As  it  an  earth-quake  were  :  at  last  she  thus  bespake : 

43  "  Beldame,^  your  words  doe'^worke  me  litle  ease; 
For  tiiough  my  love  be  not  so  lewdly  bent 

As  tliose  ye  blame,  yet  may  it  nought  appease 
My  raging  smart,  ne  ought  my  flame  relent, 
But  rather  doth  my  helpelesse  griefe  augment. 
For  they,  however  shamefull  and  unkinde/ 
Yet  did  possesse  their  horrible  intent : 
Short  end  of  sorowes  they  theiby  did  finde; 
So  was  their  iortune  good,  tliough  wicked  were  their 
minde. 

1  Bantk,  banishes.  8  UiiUmh,  unnatural. 

8  Belduine,  (here)  grandmother,  or  good  mother. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    II.  205 

44  "  But  wicked  fortune  mine,  though  rainde  be  good, 
Can  have  no  end  nor  hope  of  my  desire, 
But  feed  on  shadowes  whiles  I  die  for  food. 
And  hke  a  shadow  wexe,  whiles  with  entire 
Affection  I  doe  languish  and  expire. 
I,  fonder  then  Cephisus  foolish  chyld,^ 
Who,  having  vewed  in  a  fountaine  shere  ^ 
His  face,  was  with  the  love  thereof  beguyll ; 

I,  fonder,  love  a  shade,  the  body  far  exyld." 

46  "  Nought  like,"  quoth  shee  ;  "  for  that  same  wi-etch- 
ed  boy 

Was  of  himselfe  the  ydle  paramoure, 

Both  Love  and  Lover,  without  hope  of  ioy ; 

For  which  he  faded  to  a  watry  flowre. 

But  better  fortune  thine,  and  better  howre,' 

Which  lov'st  the  shadow  of  a  warlike  knight ; 

No  shadow,  but  a  body  hath  in  powre  : 

That  body,  wheresoever  that  it  light, 
May  learned  be  by  cyphers,  or  by  magicke  might. 

»6  "  But  if  thou  may  with  reason  yet  represse 
The  growing  evill,  ere  it  strength  have  gott. 
And  thee  abandond  wholy  doe  possesse  ; 
Against  it  strongly  strive,  and  yield  thee  nott 
Til  thou  in  open  fielde  adowne  be  smott : 
But  if  the  passion  mayster  thy  fraile  might, 

1  I.  e.  Narcissus.  8  Hotore,  i.  e.  lot. 

2  Shere,  clear. 

XLV.  7. —  No  shndow,  &c.]     "  There  is  no  shadow  which  lias 
<imt  a  body  belonging  to  it."     H. 


206  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

So  tliat  needs  love  or  death  must  bee  thy  lott, 
Then  I  avow  to  thee,  by  wrong  or  right, 
To  compas  thy  desire,  and  find  that  loved  knight." 

4:  Her   chearefull   words   nluch   cheard   the   feeble 
spright 
Of  the  sicke  Virgin,  that  her  downe  she  layd 
In  her  warme  bed  to  sleepe,  if  that  she  might ; 
And  the  old-woman  carefully  displayd^ 
The  clothes  about  her  round  with  busy  ayd  ; 
So  that  at  last  a  litle  creeping  sleepe 
Surprisd  her  sence.     Shee,  therewith  well  apayd,^ 
The  dronken  lamp  down  in  the  oyl  did  steepe, 

And  sett  her  by  to  watch,  and  sett  her  by  to  weepe. 

»8  Earely,  the  morrow  next,  before  that  day 
His  ioyous  face  did  to  the  world  revele. 
They  both  uprose  and  tooke  their  ready  way 
Unto  the  church,  their  praiers  to  appele,® 
With  great  devotion,  and  with  litle  zele : 
For  the  faire  Damzel  from  the  holy  herse* 
Her  love-sicke  bait  to  other  thoughts  did  steale ; 
And  tliat  old  Dame  said  many  an  idle  verse. 

Out  of  her  daughters  hart  fond  fancies  to  reverse.* 


1  Displnyd  spread.  <  flerse,  rehearsal  (of  the  sei-vice). 

2  A/Miyil,  satisfied.  6  litverse,  cause  to  return  or  depart. 
*  Apjitle,  i.  e.  prefer. 


XLVII.  8. —  The  fh-onken  lamp,  &c.]  The  lamp  is  called 
dronken,  because  it  drinks  or  consumes  the  oil.  Upton  says  that 
she  does  not  blow  out  the  lamp  because  that  vas  ill-ominous.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    11.  207 

19  Retourued  home,  the  royall  Infant  fell 
Into  her  foi-mer  fitt ;  for  why  ?  no  powre 
Nor  guidaunce  of  herselfe  in  her  did  dwell. 
But  th'  aged  nourse,  her  caUing  to  her  bowre,^ 
Had  gathered  rew,  and  savine,  and  the  flowre 
Of  camphora,  and  calamint,  and  dill ; 
All  which  she  in  a  earthen  pot  did  poure, 
And  to  the  brim  with  coltwood  did  it  fill, 

And  many  drops  of  milk  and  blood  through  it  did  spill. 

50  Then,  taking  thrise  three  heares  from  of  her  head, 
Them  trebly  breaded  in  a  threefold  lace. 
And  round  about  the  pots  mouth  bound  the  thread  ; 
And,  after  having  whispered  a  space 
Certein  sad  words  with  hollow  voice  and  bace,* 
Shee  to  the  Virgin  sayd,  thrise  sayd  slie  itt : 
"  Come,  daughter,  come  ;  come,  spit  upon  my  face; 
Spitt  thrise  upon  me,  thrise  upon  me  spilt ; 

Th'  uneven  nomber  for  this  busines  is  most  fitt." 

31  That  sayd,  her  rownd  about  she  from  her  turnd. 
She  turned  her  contrary  to  the  sunne  ; 
Thrise  she  her  turnd  contrary,  and  returnd 
All  contrary  ;  for  she  the  right  did  shunne  ; 
And  ever  what  she  did  was  straight^  undoune. 
So  thought  she  to  undoe  her  daughters  love  : 

1  Eorore,  chamber.  8  Streight,  immediately. 

2  Bace,  low. 

L.  1.  —  Then,  talcing,  &c.]  The  classic  poets,  especially  The- 
ocritus and  Virgil,  have  supplied  Spenser  with  the  various  pro- 
cesses of  Glauce's  incantation.    H. 


208  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  love,  that  is  in  gentle  brest  begonne, 
No  ydle  charraes  so  lightly  may  remove  ; 
That  well  can  witnesse,  who  by  tryall  it  does  prove. 

62  Ne  ought  it  mote  the  noble  Mayd  avayle, 
Ne  slake  the  fury  of  her  cruell  flame, 
But  that  shee  still  did  waste,  and  still  did  wayle, 
.That    through    long    languour   and    hart-burning 

branie  ^ 
She  shortly  like  a  pyned  ghost  became 
Which  long  hath  waited  by  the  Stygian  strond. 
That  when  old  Glauce  saw,  for  feare  least  blame 
Of  her  miscarriage  should  in  her  be  fond. 

She  wist  not  how  t'  amend,  nor  how  it  to  withstond. 

1  Brame,  desire,  Ital.  brama  ( ?  ). 

\A\.  6.  —  Hath  waited.]     Because  the  body  had  not  been  buried. 

H. 


BOOK  III.      CANTO    111.  205 


CANTO    III. 

Merlin  bewrayes  to  Britomart 

The  state  of  Arthegall : 
And  shews  the  famous  progeny, 

Which  from  them  springen  shall. 

1  Most  sacred  fyre,  that  burnest  mightily 
III  living  brests,  ykindled  first  above 
Emongst  th'  eternall  spheres  and  lamping  *  sky, 
And  thence  pourd  into  men,  which  men  call  Love ; 
Not  that  same  which  doth  base  affections  move 

In  brutish  mindes,  and  filthy  lust  inflame  ; 
But  that  svveete  fit  ^  that  doth  true  beautie  love> 
And  choseth  Vertue  for  his  dearest  dame, 
Whence  spring  all  noble  deedes  and  never-dying  fame: 

2  Well  did  antiquity  a  god  thee  deeme, 

That  over  mortall  mindes  hast  so  great  might, 
To  order  them  as  best  to  thee  doth  seeme, 
And  all  their  actions  to  direct  arisrht : 
The  fatall  ^  purpose  of  divine  foresight 
Thou  doest  effect  in  destined  descents, 
Through  deepe  impression  of  thy  secret  might. 
And  stirredst  up  th'  heroes  high  intents, 
Which  the  late  world  admyres  for  wondrous  moni- 
raents. 

1  Lampinr/,  shining.  8  Fatall,  foreordained. 

2  Fit^  passion. 

VOL.    II.  14 


21('  THE    FAERIE    QUEENR. 

3  But  thy  dredd  dartes  in  none  doe  triumph  more, 
Ne  braver  proofe  in  any  of  thy  powre 
Shewd'st  thou,  then  in  this  royall  maid  of  yore, 
Making  her  seeke  an  unknowne  paramoure, 
From    the    worlds    end,    through    many  a   bitter 

stowre  * : 
From  whose  two  loynes  thou  afterwardes  did  rayse 
Most  famous  fruites  of  matrimoniall  bowre, 
Which  through  the  earth  have  spredd  their  living 

prayse. 
That  fame  in  tromp  of  gold  eternally  displayes. 

4  Begin  then,  0  my  dearest  sacred  Dame, 
Daugliter  of  Phoebus  and  of  Memorye, 
That  doest  ennoble  with  immortall  name 
The  wai'like  worthies,  from  antiquitye. 
In  thy  great  volume  of  eternitye  ; 
Begin,  0  Clio,  and  recount  from  hence 
My  glorious  Soveraines  goodly  auncestrye, 
Till  that  by  dew  degrees,  and  long  protense,^ 

Thou  have  it  lastly  brought  unto  her  excellence. 

5  Full  many  wayes  within  her  troubled  mind 
Old  Glauce  cast  to  cure  this  ladies  griefe ; 

Full  many  waies  she  sought,  but  none  could  find, 
Nor  herbes,  nor  charmes,  nor  counsel  that  is  chiefe 
And  choisest  med'cine  for  sick  harts  reliefe  : 
Forlhy^  great  care  she  tooke,^  and  greater  feare, 
Least  that  it  should  her  turne  to  fowle  repriefe 


I  Stowre,  peril  8  Furthy,  therefore. 

-  ProUnse,  extension.  *  I.  e.  she  felt  great  concern. 


iJOOK    III.       CANTO    111.  21 L 

And  sore  reproch,  whenso  her  father  deare 
Should  of  his  dearest  daughters  hard  misfortune  henre.. 

6  At  last  she  her  avisde,*  that  he  which  made 
That  mirrhonr,  wherein  the  sicke  damosell 

So  straungely  vewed  her  straunge  lovers  shade, 
To  weet,  the  learned  Merlin,  well  could  tell 
Under  what  coast  of  heaven  the  man  did  dwell. 
And  by  what  means  his  love  might  best  be  wrought : 
For,  though  beyond  the  Al'rick  Ismael 
Or  til'  Indian  Peru  he  were,  she  thought 
Him  forth  through  infinite  endevour  to  have  sought. 

7  Forthwith  themselves  disguising  both  in  straunge 
And  base  atyre,  that  none  might  them  bewray, 
To  ]\raridunum,  that  is  now  by  chaunge 

Of  name  Cayr-Merdin  cald,  they  tooke  their  way : 
There  the  wise  Merlin  whylome  wont  (they  say) 
To  make  his  wonne,^  low  underneath  the  ground 
In  a  deepe  delve,^  farre  from  the  vew  of  day, 
That  of  no  living  wight  he  mote  be  found, 
Whenso  he  counseld  with  his  sprights  encompast  round. 

8  And,  if  thou  ever  happen  that  same  way 
To  traveill,  go  to  see  that  dreadfull  place  : 

1  Avisde,  bethought.  8  Delve,  dell. 

2  Wonne,  dwelling. 

VI  7. —  The  AfiicTc  Ismael]  The  Jloors,  Bedouin  Arabs, 
&c.,  inhabiting  the  northern  parts  of  Africa,  are  supposed  to  be 
descendants  of  Ishmael.    H. 

VII.  4. —  Cayi-- Aferdin,  that  is,  city  of  Merdin  or  Merlin,  is 
Caermarthen,  in  South  Wales      C. 


212  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

It  is  an  hideous  hollow  cave  (they  say) 
Under  a  rock  that  lyes,  a  litle  space 
From  the  swift  Barry,  tombling  downe  apace 
Emongst  the  woody  hilles  of  Dynevowre  : 
But  dare  thou  not,  I  charge,  in  any  cace, 
To  enter  into  that  same  balefull  bowre,^ 
For  fcare   the  cruell  feendes  should  thee  unwares 
devowre : 

9  But,  standing  high  aloft,  low  lay  thine  eare, 
And  there  such  ghastly  noyse  of  yron  chaines 
And  brasen  caudrons  thou  shalt  rombling  hears, 
Which  thousand  sprights  with  long  enduring  paines 
Doe  tosse,  that  it  will  stonn  thy  feeble  braines ; 
And  oftentimes  great  grones,  and  grievous  stownds,^ 
When  too  huge  toile  and  labour  them  constraines  ; 
And  oftentimes  loud  strokes  and  ringing  sowndes 
From  under  that  deepe  rock  most  horribly  rebowndes. 

10  The  cause,  some  say,  is  this :  A  litle  whyle 
Before  that  INIerlin  dyde,  he  did  intend 
A  brasen  wall  in  compas  to  compyle^ 
About  Cairmardin,  and  did  it  commend 
Unto  these  sprights  to  bring  to  perfect  end : 
During  which  worke  the  Lady  of  the  Lake, 
Whom  long  he  lov'd,  for  him  in  hast  did  send ; 
Who,  thereby  forst  his  workemen  to  forsake, 

Them  bownd,  till   his  retourne,  their  labour  not  to. 
slake. 


1  Bowre,  cliamber.  8  Compyle,  pile  together,  construct 

-  Sfoumls,  (perlmps  here)  noises. 


BOOK    III.       CA.NTO    III.  213 

11  In  the  meane  time,  through  that  false  ladies  traine-' 
He  was  surprisd,  and  buried  under  beare, 

Ne  ever  to  his  worke  returnd  againe : 
Nath'lesse  those  feends  may  not  their  work  forbeare, 
So  greatly  his  commandement  they  f'eare, 
But  there  doe  toyle  and  traveile  day  and  night, 
Untill  that  brasen  wall  they  up  doe  reare : 
For  Merlin  had  in  magick  more  insight 
Then  ever  him  before  or  after  living  wight : 

12  For  he  by  wordes  could  call  out  of  the  sky 

Both  sunne  and  moone,  and  make  them  him  obay; 
The  land  to  sea,  and  sea  to  maineland  dry, 
And  darksora  night  he  eke  could  turne  to  day ; 
Huge  hostes  of  men  he  could  alone  dismay, 
And  hostes  of  men  of  meanest  thinges  could  frame, 
Whenso  him  list  his  enimies  to  fray'^: 
That  to  this  day,  for  terror  of  his  fame. 
The  feends  do  quake  when  any  him  to  them  does  name. 

1  Traine,  artifice.  2  Fi-ay,  terrify. 


XI.  2.  —  One  day  wlien  Merlin  and  the  Ladj'  of  tlie  Lake  were 
together  in  a  cave  in  the  forest  of  Arvantes  where  he  liad  made 
a  dwelling  and  a  tomb,  the  wizard  told  the  lady,  in  answer  to 
an  inquiry,  that  he  would  die  before  her,  and  desired  that  she 
would  cause  herself  to  be  buried  in  the  same  tomb  with  him  after 
her  death.  The  lady,  under  pretence  of  a  wish  to  see  if  the  tomb 
were  large  enough  for  both,  induced  Merhn  to  lie  down  in  it,  and 
when  she  saw  him  stretched  out  in  the  tomb,  she  put  down  the 
lid,  and  closed  it  so,  within  and  without,  that  no  man  could  open 
it.  —  This  account,  taken  from  the  Prophecies  of  Merlin,  differs 
from  that  given  in  the  Romance.  See  Southey's  Kyng  Arthur, 
Vol.  n.  p  463.     C. 


214  THE    FAElllE    QUEENE. 

13  And,  sooth,  men  say  that  he  was  not  the  sonne 
Of  mortall  syre  or  other  living  wight, 

But  wondrously  begotten,  and  begonne 
By  false  illusion  of  a  guileful!  spright 
On  a  faire  lady  nonne,  that  whilome  hight 
Matilda,  daugliter  to  Pubidius 
Who  was  the  lord  of  Mathraval  by  right, 
And  coosen  unto  King  Ambrosius ; 
Whence  he  indued  was  with  skill  so  merveilous. 

14  They,  here  ariving,  staid  a  while  without, 
Ne  durst  adventure  I'ashly  in  to  wend, 
But  of  their  first  intent  gan  make  new  dout 

F  or  dread  of  daunger,  which  it  might  portend : 
Untill  the  hardy  Mayd  (with  love  to  frend) 
First  entering,  the  dreadfull  Mage  ^  there  fownd 
Deepe  busied  'bout  worke  of  wondrous  end, 
And  writing  straunge  characters  in  the  grownd, 
With  which  the  stubborne  feendes  he  to  his  service 
bownd. 

15  He  nouglit  was  moved  at  their  entraunce  bold, 
For  of  their  cornining  well  he  wist  afore ; 

Yet  list  them  bid  their  businesse  to  unfold, 
As  if  ought  in  this  world  in  secrete  store 


D 


Ma<je,  magician. 


XIII.  3.  —  Wowlrcntsly  begotten.']  According  to  one  account,  riie 
father  of  JMerliu  was  a  demon,  or  spirit,  and  his  motlier  a  daughter 
of  the  king  of  Dimetia  (South  Wales).  Tlie  Iving  of  Dimetia 
would  have  been  lord  of  Dinevwr,  not  of  Mathraval,  which  was 
the  capital  of  Powys.  For  the  names,  Matilda  and  Pubidius,  I 
know  of  no  authority  besides  Spenser's.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    III.  215 

Were  Irrom  him  Lidden,  or  unknowne  of  yore. 
Then  Glauce  thus  :  "  Let  not  it  thee  offend, 
That  we  thus  rashly  through  thy  darksom  dore 
Unwares  have  prest ;  for  either  fatall  end,^ 
Or  other  mightie  cause,  us  two  did  hether  send." 

16  He  bad  tell  on  ;  and  then  she  thus  began  : 

"  Now  have  three  moones  with  borrowd  brothers 

hght 
Thrise  shined  faire,  and  thrise  seemd  dim  and  wan, 
Sith  a  sore  evill,  which  this  Virfrin  bright 
Tormeiiteth  and  doth  plonge  in  dolefull  plight, 
First  rooting  tooke  ;  but  what  thing  it  mote  bee, 
Or  whence  it  sprong,  I  can  not  read  aright  • 
But  this  I  read,  that,  but  if  remedee 
Thou  her  affoi'd,  full  shortly  I  her  dead  shall  see." 

17  Therewith  tli'  Enchaunter  softly  gan  to  smyle 
At  her  smooth  speeches,  weeting  inly  well 
That  she  to  him  dissembled  womanish  guyle, 
And  to  her  said  :  "  Beldame,  by  that  ye  teU 
More  neede  of  leach-crafte  hath  your  damozell. 
Then  of  my  skill :  who  helpe  may  have  elswhere, 
In  vaine  seekes  wonders  out  of  magick  spell." 
Th'  old  woman  wox  half  blanck  those  wordes  to 

heare  ; 
And  yet  was  loth  to  let  her  purpose  plaine  appeare  ; 

19  And  to  him  said  :  "  Yf  any  leaches  skill, 
Or  other  learned  meanes,  could  have  redrest 


=j 


1  Fatall  end,  some  purpose  of  the  Fates. 


216  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

This  my  deare  daugliters  deepe-engraffed  ill, 
Certes  I  should  be  loth  thee  to  molest : 
But  this  sad  evill,  which  doth  her  infest, 
Doth  course  of  naturall  cause  farre  exceed, 
And  housed  is  within  her  hollow  brest, 
That  either  seemes  some  cursed  witches  deed, 
Or  evill  spright,  that  in  her  doth  such  torment  breed.'' 

19  The  Wisard  could  no  lenger  beare  her  bord,^ 
But,  brusting  forth  in  laughter,  to  her  sayd : 
"  Glauce,  what  needes  this  colourable  word 
To  cloke  the  cause  that  hatli  itselfe  bewrayd  ? 
Ne  ye,  fayre  Britomartis,  thus  arayd. 

More  hidden  are  then  sunne  in  cloudy  vele  ; 
Whom  thy  good  fortune,  having  fate  obayd, 
Hath  hether  brought  for  succour  to  appele  ; 
The  which  the  Powres  to  thee  are  pleased  to  revele." 

20  The  doubtful!  Mayd,  seeing  herselfe  descryde, 
Was  all  abasht,  and  her  pure  yvory 

Into  a  cleare  carnation  suddeine  dyde  ; 
As  fayre  Aurora,  rysing  hastily, 
Dotli  by  her  bhisliing  tell  that  she  did  lye 
All  night  in  old  Titlionus  frosen  bed. 
Whereof  she  seemes  ashamed  inwardly  : 
But  her  olde  nourse  was  nought  dishartened. 
But  vauntage  made  of  that  which  Merlin  had  ai*ed^; 

!i  And  sayd  :  "  Sith  then  thou  knowest  all  our  griefe, 
(For  what  doest  not  thou  knowe  ?)  of  grace  I  pray, 

1  Bord,  trifling.  2  Arel,  declared. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    III.  217 

Pitty  our  playnt,  and  yield  us  meet  reliete  !  " 
With  that  the  Prophet  still  awliile  did  stay, 
And  then  his  spirite  thus  gan  foorth  display : 
*'  Most  noble  Virgin,  that  by  fataU  lore 
Hast  learn'd  to  love,  let  no  whit  thee  dismay 
The  hard  beginno  that  meetes  thee  in  the  dore, 
A.nd  with  sharpe  fiti  thy  tender  hart  oppresseth  sore : 

22  "  For  so  must  ?,U  things  excellent  begin  ; 
And  eke  enroot'.'d  deepe  must  be  that  tree. 
Whose  big  embodied  braunches  shall  not  lin  * 
Till  they  to  hevons  hight  forth  stretched  bee. 
For  from  thy  wombe  a  famous  progenee 
-Shall  spring  cut  of  the  auncient  Troian  blood, 
Which  shall  revive  the  sleeping  memoree 

Of  those  same  antique  peres,  the  hevens  brood, 
Which  Greeke  and  Asian  rivers  stayned  with  their 
blood. 

23  "  Renowmed  kings,  and  sacred  emperours. 
Thy  fruitful!  ofspring,  shall  from  thee  descend ; 
Brave  captaines,  and  most  mighty  warriours, 
That  shall  their  conquests  through  all  lands  extend, 
And  their  decayed  kingdomes  shall  amend  : 

The  feeble  Britons,  broken  with  long  warre, 
They  shall  upreare,  and  mightily  defend 
Against  their  forren  foe  that  commes  from  farre, 
Till  universal!  peace  compound  all  civill  iarre. 

24  "  It  was  not,  Britomart,  thy  wandring  eye 
Glauncing  unwares  in  charmed  looking-glas, 

1  Lin,  stop. 


218  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

But  the  streight  course  of  hevenly  destiny, 
Led  with  Eternall  Providence,  that  has 
Guyded  thy  ghiunce,  to  bring  His  will  to  pas : 
Ne  is  thy  fate,  ne  is  thy  fortune  ill. 
To  love  the  prowest  knight  that  ever  was: 
Therefore  submit  thy  wayes  unto  His  will, 
And  doe,  by  all  dew  uieanes,  thy  destiny  fulfill." 

25  "  But  read,"  saide  Glauce,  "  thou  Magitian, 
What  ineanes  shall  she  out-seeke,  or  what  waies  take  ? 
How  shall  she  know,  how  shall  she  finde  the  man  ? 
Or  what  needes  her  to  toyle,  sith  fates  can  make 
Way  for  themselves,  their  purpose  to  pertake  ?  " 
Then  JMerlin  thus  :  "  Indeede  the  fates  ai'e  firme, 
And  may  not  shrinck,  though  all  the  world  do  shake: 
Yet  ought  mens  good.endevours  them  confirme. 

And   guyde  the    heavenly  causes  to   their  constant 
terme.* 

26  "  The  man,  whom  heavens  have  ordaynd  to  bee 
The  spouse  of  Britouiart,  is  Arthegall : 

He  wonneth'^  in  the  land  of  Fayeree, 
Yet  is  no  Fary  borne,  ne  sib  ^  at  all 
To  Elfes,  but  sprong  of  seed  terrestriall, 
And  whylome  by  false  Faries  stolne  away, 

1  Constant  lerme,  fixed  conclusion.  8  s;j^  kinsman. 

2  Wwintlh,  dwelleth. 


XXV.  5. —  Their  purpose  to  pertake.]  To  obtain  a  share  in 
the  happiness  wiiich  tliey  purpose  to  brinp;  to  pass.     C. 

XXVI.  1. —  The  mm,  Sec]  Tlie  fabulous  cln-onicle  of  British 
kings  i.s  liere  roi^unied  from  the  tenth  canto  of  the  second  book, 
stanza  68.     H. 


BOOK   III.      CAT^TO  ni.  219 

Whj'les  yet  in  infant  cradle  he  did  crall ; 

Ne  other  to  himselfe  is  knowne  this  day, 

But  that  he  by  an  Elfe  was  gotten  of  a  Fay  : 

2-  "  But  sooth  he  is  the  sonne  of  Gorlo'is, 
And  brother  unto  Cador,  Cornish  king ; 
And  for  his  warlike  feates  renowmed  is. 
From  where  the  day  out  of  the  sea  doth  spring, 
Untill  the  closure  of  the  evening  : 
From    thence   him,  firmely  bound    with    faithfull 

band, 
To  this  his  native  soyle  thou  backe  shalt  bring. 
Strongly  to  ayde  his  countrey  to  withstand 

The  powre  of  forreine  Paynims  which  invade  thy  land. 

^  "  Great  ayd  thereto  his  mighty  puissaunce 
And  dreaded  name  shall  give  in  that  sad  day; 
Where  also  proofe  of  thy  prow  ^  valiaunce 
Thou  then  shalt  make,  t'  increase  thy  lovers  pray  : 
LonjT  time  ve  both  in  armes  shall  beare  great  swav, 
Till  thy  wombes  burden  thee  from  them  do  call, 
And  his  last  fate  him  from  thee  take  away ; 

1  Proiv  (preux),  brave. 

XXVrr.  I.  —  Gorlois.]  This  Gorlnis  was  the  Duke  of  Corn- 
wall. Uther  Pendrason,  the  kiiifj  of  Britain,  became  enamored  of 
his  wife  Igerna,  and  having,  by  Merlin's  help,  assumed  the  person 
of  Gorlois.  he  became  by  her  the  father  of  Arthur;  and  after  the 
death  of  Gorlois  he  married  her.  By  Gorlois  she  had  also  a  son 
Cador.  So  far  the  chronicles  and  romances.  Spenser  represents 
her  as  having  another  son  by  Gorlois.  that  is,  .\rthegall.    H. 

XXVII.  6. —  From  thence.']     From  Fairy  land. 


£20  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Too  rathe  ^  cut  off  by  practise  criminall 
Of  secrete  foes,  that  him  shall  make  in  mischiefe  fall. 

29  "  With  thee  yet  shall  he  leave,  for  memory 
Of  his  late  puissaunce,  his  ymage  dead, 
That  living  him  in  all  activity 
To  thee  shall  represent.     He  from  the  head 
Of  his  coosen  Constantius,  without  di-ead, 
Shall  take  the  crowne  that  was  his  fathers  right, 
And  therewith  crowne  himselfe  in  th'  others  stead; 
Then  shall  he  issew  forth  with  dreadfuU  might 

Against  his  Saxon  foes  in  bloody  field  to  fight. 

so  "  Like  as  a  lyon  that  in  drowsie  cave 

Hatli  long  time  slept,  himselfe  so  shall  he  shake ; 
And,  comming  forth,  shall  spred  his  banner  brave 
Over  the  troubled  South,  that  it  shall  make 
The  warlike  Mertians  for  feare  to  quake  : 
Thrise  shall  lie  (ight  with  them,  and  twise  shall  win  ; 
But  the  third  time  shall  fayre  accordaunce  make : 
And,  if  he  then  with  victorie  can  lin,^ 

He  shall  his  dayes  with  peace  bring  to  his  earthly  in.' 

31  "  His  Sonne,  hight  Vortipore,  shall  him  succeede 
In  kingdome,  but  not  in  felicity  : 


1  RnOie,  early.  8  Earthly  in,  i.  e.  the  grave. 

2  Lin,  stop. 


XXIX.  5.  —  Artliur,  being  mortally  wounded  in  battle,  gave  up 
the  crown  to  Constantine,  the  son  of  Oador.  Spenser  pretends  that 
the  rightful  successor  of  Arthur  would  have  been  Arthegall,  who, 
In  thai  cn<e,  should  be  older  than  Cador.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    111.  221 

Yet  shall  he  long  time  warre  with  happy  speed, 
And  with  great  honour  many  batteills  try ; 
But  at  the  last  to  th'  importunity 
Of  froward  fortune  shall  be  forst  to  yield  : 
But  his  Sonne  Malgo  shall  full  mightily 
Avenge  his  fathers  losse  with  speare  and  shield, 
And  his  proud  foes  discomfit  in  victorious  field. 

32  "  Behold  the  man !  and  tell  me,  Britomart, 
If  ay  more  goodly  creature  thou  didst  see  ? 
How  like  a  gyaunt  in  each  manly  part 
Beares  he  himselfe  with  portly  maiestee, 
That  one  of  th'  old  heroes  seemes  to  bee  ! 
He  the  six  Islands,  comprovinciall 

In  auncient  times  unto  great  Britainee, 
Shall  to  the  same  reduce,  and  to  him  call 
Their  sondry  kings  to  doe  their  homage  severall. 

33  "  All  which  his  sonne  Careticus  awhile 

Shall  well  defend,  and  Saxons  powre  suppresse ; 
Untill  a  straunger  king,  from  unknowne  soyle 
Arriving,  him  with  multitude  oppresse  ; 
Great  Gormond,  having  with  huge  mightinesse 
Ireland  subdewd,  and  therein  fixt  his  throne, 
Like  a  swift  otter,  fell  through  emptinesse,^ 

1  Fell  through  emptinesse,  cruel  through  hunger. 


XXXII.  6.  —  The  six  Islands.]  These  islands  are  Ireland,  Ice- 
land, Gothland,  the  Orkneys,  Norway,  and  Dacia  (Denmark).    C. 

XXXIII.  5.  —  Great  Gormond.']  Gormond  was  the  sou  of  an 
African  king,  and  might  have  inlierited  his  father's  throne.  But  he 
despised  to  rule  over  a  kingdom  tliat  he  had  not  conquered.  He  ac- 
cordingly issued  an  invitation  to  the  brave  youth  of  all  heathendom 


222  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Shall  overswim  the  sea  with  many  one 
Of  his  Norveyses,^  to  assist  the  Britons  fone.^ 

34  "  He  in  his  furie  all  shall  over-ronne, 

And  holy  church  with  faithlesse  liandes  deface 
That  thy  sad  people,  utterly  fordonne,^ 
Shall  to  the  utmost  mountaines  fly  apace : 
Was  never  so  great  waste  in  any  place, 
Nor  so  fowle  outrage  doen  by  living  men  ; 
For  all  thy  citties  they  shall  sacke  and  race, 
And  the  greene  grasse  that  groweth  they  shall  bren,* 
That  even  the  wilde  beast  shall  dy  in  starved  den. 

35  "  Whiles  thus  thy  Britons  doe  in  languour  pine, 
Proud  Etheldred  shall  from  the  North  arise, 
Serving  th'  ambitious  will  of  Augustine, 

And,  passing  Dee,  with  hardy  enterprise, 
Shall  backe  repulse  the  valiaunt  Brockwell  twise. 
And  Bangor  with  massacred  martyrs  fill ; 
But  the  third  time  shall  rew  his  fool-hardise  : 
For  Cadwan,  pittying  his  peoples  ill, 
Shall  stoutly  him  defeat,  and  thousand  Saxons  kill. 

1  Norrcynes,  Norwegians.  8  Fordonne,  undone. 

2  Fone,  foes.  4  Bren,  burn. 

to  join  him  in  a  piratical  expedition,  and  bj*  tlieir  lielp  made  him- 
self king  of  Irelaiiil.  The  Norveyses  (v.  9)  may  be  regarded  as  a 
general  name  for  iiis  freebooting  allies.  According  to  some,  Gor- 
mond  was  nimselfa  Dane.    C. 

XXXV.  2. —  J'rowl  Elhtklred.]  In  this  stanza  we  haves 
glimmering  of  authentic  history.  In  the  beginning  of  the  seventh 
century,  Ktheifritli,  tlie  king  of  Bernicia,  defeated  the  Welsh 
under  Cadvan  and  lirocmail,  near  Bangor,  with  great  slaughter. 
But  this  was  not  until  after  the  death  of  St.  Augustine,  who  intro- 
duced Christianitv  among  tlie  Anglo-Saxons.    II. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    HI.  223 

B6  "  But,  after  him,  Cadwallin  mightily 

On  Lis  Sonne  Edwin  all  those  wrongs  shall  wreake; 
Ne  shall  availe  the  wicked  sorcery 
Of  false  Pellite  his  purposes  to  breake, 
But  him  shall  slay,  and  on  a  gallowes  bleak 
Shall  give  th'  enchaunter  his  unhappy  hire  : 
Then  shall  the  Britons,  late  disraayd  and  weake, 
From  their  long  vassallage  gin  to  respire, 

And  on  their  Paynim  foes  avenge  their  ranckled  ire. 

37  "  Ne  shall  he  yet  his  wrath  so  mitigate, 

Till  both  the  sonnes  of  Edwin  he  have  slayne, 
Offricke  and  Osricke,  twinnes  unfortunate, 
Both  slaine  in  battaile  upon  Layburne  playne, 
Together  with  the  king  of  Louthiane, 
Hight  Adin,  and  the  king  of  Orkeny, 
Both  ioynt  partakers  of  their  fatall  payne  : 
But  Penda,  fearefuU  of  like  desteny, 
Shall  yield  himselfe  his  hegeman,  and  sweare  fealty: 

38  "  Him  shall  he  make  his  fatall  instrument 
T'  afflict  the  other  Saxons  unsubdewd : 
He  marching  forth  with  fury  insolent 
Against  the  good  King  Oswald,  who,  indewd 
With  heavenly  powre,  and  by  angels  reskewd, 


XXXVI.  1.  —  Cadwallin  mujhtlly.]  In  633,  Edwin,  the  king  of 
NorthumbrJu,  was  defeated  by  Cadwallon,  king  of  North  Wales, 
and  glairj.    H. 

XXXVI.  4.  —  Pellitus  was  a  Spanish  soothsayer,  who  gave  Ed- 
win intelligence  of  Cadwallon's  designs. 

XXXVIII.  4:.  — King  Oswahl]  In  634,  Cadwallon  was  totally 
defeated  by  Oswald,  king  of  Northumbria,  and  slain  in  battle.    H. 


224  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Al  holding  crosses  in  their  hands  on  hye, 
Shall  him  defeate  withouten  blood  imbrewd: 
Of  which  that  field  for  endlesse  memory 
Shall  Hevenfield  be  cald  to  all  posterity. 

39  "Whereat  Cadwalliii  wroth  shall  forth  issew, 
And  an  huge  hoste  into  Northumber  lead, 
With  which  he  godly  Oswald  shall  subdew, 
And  crowne  with  martiredome  his  sacred  head : 
Whose  brother  Oswin,  daunted  with  like  dread, 
With  price  of  silver  shall  his  kingdome  buy; 
And  Penda,  seeking  him  adowne  to  tread, 
Shall  tread  adowne,  and  doe  him  fowly  dye ; 

But  shall  with  guifts  his  lord  Cadwallin  pacify. 

<o  "  Then  shall  Cadwallin  die  ;  and  then  the  raine 
Of  Britons  eke  with  him  attonce  shall  dye  ; 
Ne  shall  the  good  Cadwallader,  with  paine 
Or  powre,  be  hable  it  to  remedy, 
When  the  full  time,  prefixt  by  destiny, 
Shal  be  expird  of  Britons  regiment^: 
For  Ileven  itselfe  shall  their  successe  envy, 
And  them  with  plagues  and  murrins  pestilent 

Consume,  till  all  their  warlike  puissaunce  be  spent. 

u  "  Yet  after  all  these  sorrowes,  and  huge  hills 
Of  dying  people,  during  eight  yeares  space, 
Cadwallader,  not  yielding  to  his  ills, 
From  Armoi'icke,  where  long  in  wretched  cace 
He  liv'd,  retourning  to  his  native  place, 
Shal  be  by  vision  staide  from  his  intent: 

J-  Regiment,  govcniineiit. 


BOOK  nt.     CANTO  III.  225 

For  til'  Heavens  have  decreed  to  displace 
The  Britons  for  their  sinnes  dew  punishment 
And  to  the  Saxons  over-give  their  government. 

42  "  Then  woe,  and  woe,  and  everlasting  woe, 
Be  to  the  Briton  babe  that  shal  be  borne 
To  live  in  thraldome  of  his  fathers  foe  ! 
Late  king,  now  captive ;  late  lord,  now  forlorne  ; 
The  worlds  reproch  ;  the  cruell  victors  scorne  ; 
Banisht  from  princely  bowre  to  wasteful  wood  ! 
O,  who  shall  helpe  me  to  lament  and  mourne 
The  royall  seed,  the  antique  Troian  blood, 

Whose  empire  lenger  here  then  ever  any  stood  ! " 

13  The  Damzell  was  full  deepe  erapassioned 
Both  for  his  griefe,  and  for  her  peoples  sake, 
Whose  future  woes  so  plaine  he  fashioned  ; 
And,  sighing  sore,  at  length  him  thus  bespake  : 
"  Ah  !  but  will  Hevens  fury  never  slake, 
Nor  veno-eaunce  huge  relent  itselfe  at  last  ? 
Will  not  long  misery  late  mercy  make, 
But  shall  their  name  for  ever  be  defaste, 

And  quite  from  of  tlie  earth  their  memory  be  raste  ?'' 

44  "  Nay,  but  the  terrae,"  sayd  he,  "  is  limited, 
That  in  this  thraldome  Britons  shall  abide ; 
And  the  iust  revolution  measured 
That  they  as  straungers  shal  be  notifide^ : 
For  twise  fowre  hundreth  yeares  shal  be  supplide,^ 
Ere  they  to  foi'mer  rule  restor'd  shal  bee. 
And  their  importune  fates  all  satisfide  : 


1  Nofifde,  infirkeil,  Ijrandeil.  2  Siipjilide,  fulfilled. 

VOL.    11.  It 


226  THE    FAERIK    QUEENE. 

Yet.  during  this  their  most  obscuritee, 
Their  bearaes  shall  ofte  breake  forth,  that  men  them 
faire  may  see. 

45  "  For  Rhodoricke,  whose  surname  shal  be  Great, 
Shall  of  himselfe  a  brave  ensample  shew, 
That  Saxon  kings  his  frendship  shall  intreat ; 
And  Howell  Dha  shall  goodly  well  indew 
The  salvage  minds  with  skill  of  iust  and  trew : 
Then  Griffyth  Conan  also  shall  upreare 
His  dreaded  head,  and  the  old  sparkes  renew 
Of  native  corage,  that  his  foes  shall  feai^e 

Least  bac^ke  againe  the  kingdom  he  from  them  should 
beare. 

10  "  Ne  shall  the  Saxons  selves  all  peaceably 

Enioy  the  crowne,  which  they  from  Britons  wonne 

First  ill,  and  after  ruled  wickedly  : 

For,  ere  two  hundred  yeares  be  full  outronne, 

There  shall  a  Raven,  far  from  rising  sunne. 

With  his  wide  wings  upon  them  fiercely  fly, 

And  bid  his  faithlesse  chickens  ^  overonne 

The  fruitfuU  plaines,  and  with  fell  cruelty 

In  tlieir  avenge  tread  downe  the  victors  surquedry.** 

47  •'  Yet  shall  a  Third  both  these  and  thine  subdew : 
There  shall  a  Lion  from  the  sea-bord  wood 

1  Faithlesse  chickens,  heathen  brood.       2  Surquedry,  insolence. 


XLV.  —  Roderic  the  Great  succeeded  to  the  principality  ot 
Wales  about  843,  and  reigned  some  thirty  years.  Howel  Dha 
(lied  nhnut  948,  and  Griffyth  Conan  in  1136.     C. 

XLVI.  5.— A  Raven.']     This  refers  to  the  invasion  of  tlie  Danes. 

XLVri.  2.— A  Lion.]  This  is  William  of  Normandy.  Neua- 
tria  was  the  ancient  name  of  the  northwest  part  of  France.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    III.  22T 

Of  Neustria  come  roring,  with  a  crew 
Of  hungry  whelpes,  his  battailous  bold  brood, 
Whose  clawes  were  newly  dipt  in  cruddy  ^  blood. 
That  from  the  Daniske  tyrants  head  shall  rend 
Th'  usurped  crowne,  as  if  that  he  were  wood,^ 
And  the  spoile  of  the  countrey  conquered 
Emongst  his  young  ones  shall  divide  with  bountyhed.'.. 

48  "  Tho,  when  the  terrae  is  full  accomplishid, 
There  shall  a  sparke  of  fire,  which  hath  longwhile-' 
Bene  in  his  ashes  raked  up  and  hid, 

Bee  freshly  kindled  in  the  fruitful!  ile 
Of  Mona,  where  it  lurked  in  exile ; 
Which  shall  breake  forth  into  bright  burning  flame,,. 
And  reach  into  the  house  that  beares  the  stile 
Of  roiall  maiesty  and  soveraine  name : 
So  shall  the  Briton  blood  their  crowne  agayn  reclame^ 

49  "  Thenceforth  eternall  union  shall  be  made 
Betweene  the  nations  different  afore, 

And  sacred  Peace  shall  lovingly  persuade 
The  Avarlike  minds  to  learne  her  goodly  lore, 
And  civile  armes  to  exercise  no  more  : 

1  Crvddy,  curdled.  2  Wood,  mad. 


XLVIII.  1.— There  shall,  &c.]  Llewellyn,  the  hist  of  the 
native  Welsh  princes,  m.ide  an  unsuccessful  resistance  to  Edward 
I.,  and  was  defe.ated  and  slain.  Edward  soon  after  created  his 
own  infant  son  Prince  of  Wales.    H. 

XLVIII.  9. — By  the  accession  of  Henry  of  Richmond  to  the 
crown.  Henry,  descended  from  the  Tudors,  was  born  in  Mona, 
now  called  Anglesey.     Upton. 


228  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Then  shall  a  royall  Virgin  raine,  which  sliall 
Stretch  her  white  rod  o%'er  the  Belgicke  shore, 
And  the  great  Castle  smite  so  sore  withall, 
Tliatit  shall  make  him  shake,  and  shortly  learn  ^  to  fall 

50  "  But  yet  the  end  is  not "    There  Merlin  stayd, 

As  overcomen  of  the  spirites  powre, 

Or  other  ghastly  spectacle  dismayd, 
That  secretly  he  saw,  yet  note  discoure'^ : 
Which  suddein  fitt  and  halfe  extatick  stoure  " 
When  the  two  fearefuU  wemen  saw,  they  grew 
Greatly  confused  in  behaveoure  : 
At  last,  the  fury  past,  to  former  hew 
Hee  turnd  againe,  and    chearfull  looks    as  earst  did 
shew. 

51  Then,  when  themselves  they  well  instructed  had 
Of  all  that  needed  them  to  be  inquird, 

They  both,  conceiving  hope  of  comfort  glad, 
With  lighter  hearts  unto  their  home  retird ; 
Where  they  in  secret  counsell  close  conspird, 
How  to  effect  so  hard  an  enterprize, 
And  to  possesse  the  purpose  they  desird  : 
Now  this,  now  that,  twixt  them  they  did  devize, 
And  diverse  plots  did  frame  to  maske  in  strange  dis- 
guise. 

1  Qu.  lean  f  8  SUmre,  paroxysm. 

2  Note  dkcoure,  might  not  discover. 

XLIX.  6.  —  A  royall  Viryin.]  This  is  Queen  Elizabeth,  who 
assisted  the  Belgian  provinces,  and  shook  tlie  power  of  the  king 
of  Otitik  (V.  8). 


BOOK  III.     CAXTo  in.  229 

52  At  last  the  nourse  in  her  fool-hardy  wit 
Conceivd  a  bold  devise,  and  thus  bespake  : 

"  Daughter,  I  deeme  that  counsel  aye  most  fit, 
That  of  the  time  doth  dew  advauntage  take  : 
Ye  see  that  good  King  Uther  now  doth  make 
Strong  warre  upon  the  Paynim  brethren,  hight 
Octa  and  Oza,  whonie  hee  lately  brake 
Beside  Cayr  Verolame  in  victorious  fight, 
That  now  all  Britany  doth  burne  in  amies  bright. 

53  "  That  therefore  nought  our  passage  may  empeach,* 
Let  us  in  feigned  armes  ourselves  disguize, 

And  our  weake  hands  (need  makes  good  schollers) 

teach 
The  dreadful  speare  and  shield  to  exercize  : 
Ne  certes,  daugliter,  that  same  warlike  wize, 
I  weene,  Avould  you  misseerae  ;  for  ye  beene  tall 
And  large  of  limbe  t'  atchieve  an  hai'd  emprize  ; 
Ne  ought  ye  want  but  skil,  which  practize  small 
Wil  bring,  and  shortly  make  you  a  mayd  martiall. 

64  "  And,  sooth,  it  ought  your  corage  much  inflame 
To  heare  so  often,  in  that  royall  hous, 
From  whence  to  none  inferior  ye  came, 
Bards  tell  of  many  weraen  valorous, 
Which  have  full  many  feats  adventurous 
Performd,  in  paragone^  of  proudest  men  : 
The  bold  Bunduca,  whose  victorious 

1  Emjieach,  prevent.  2  Paragone,  rivalry. 

LII.  5.  —  Uther  died  shortly  after  the  battle  at  Verulani.  The 
date  of  this  enterprise  would  therefore  be  about  470,  wiieii  Arthur 
(jegins  to  make  his  appearance  in  history. 


230  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Exployts  made  Rome  to  quake  ;  stout  Guendolen ; 
Renowmed  Martia  ;  and  redoubted  Emmilen  ;  — 

65  "  And,  that  which  more  then  all  the  rest  may  sway, 
Late  dayes  ensample,  which  these  eyes  beheld : 

111  the  last  field  before  Menevia, 
Which  Uther  with  those  forrein  Pagans  held, 
I  saw  a  Saxon  virgin,  the  which  feld 
Great  Ulfin  thrise  upon  the  bloody  playne  ; 
And,  had  not  Carados  her  hand  withheld 
From  rash  revenge,  she  had  him  surely  slayne  ; 
Yet  Carados  himselfe  from  her  escapt  with  payne." 

66  "  Ah  !  read,"  quoth  Britomart,  "  how  is  she  hight?  " 
"  Fay  re  Angela,"  quoth  she,  "  men  do  her  call, 
No  whit  lesse  fayre  then  terrible  in  fight : 

She  hath  the  leading  of  a  martiall 
And  mightie  people,  dreaded  more  then  all 
The  other  Saxons,  which  doe,  for  her  sake 
And  love,  themselves  of  her  name  Angles  call. 
Therefore,  faire  Infant,  her  ensample  make 
Unto  thyselfe,  and  equall  corage  to  thee  take." 

57  Her  harty  wordes  so  deepe  into  the  mynd 
Of  the  yong  damzell  sunke,  that  great  desire 
Of  warlike  armes  in  her  forthwith  they  tynd,* 

1  Tytid,  kindled. 

LIV.  8,  9.  —  Guendolen  is  the  wife  of  Locrine  (Book  II.  Canto 
X.  St.  17);  Martia,  the  lawgiver  (St.  42  of  the  same  Canto) 
Who  Emmilen  is,  is  uncertain.     C. 

LV.  5.  —  A  Saxon  virgin.']  "  This  Saxon  virgin  is,  I  believe 
entirely  of  Spenser's  own  feigning." — Um'ON. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    III.  231 

A-nd  generous  stout  courage  did  inspyre, 
That  she  resolv'd,  unweeting  ^  to  her  syre, 
Advent'rous  knighthood  on  herselfe  to  don ; 
And  counseld  with  her  nourse  her  maides  attyre 
To  turne  into  a  massy  habergeon  ^ ; 
And  bad  her  all  things  put  in  readinesse  anon. 

■is  Th'  old  woman  nought  that  needed  did  omit ; 
But  all  thingesxdid  conveniently  purvay. 
It  fortuned  (so  time  their  turne  did  fitt) 
A  band  of  Britons,  ryding  on  forray 
Few  dayes  before,  had  gotten  a  great  pray 
Of  Saxon  goods  ;  emongst  the  which  was  scene 
A  goodly  armour,  and  full  rich  aray, 
Which  long'd  to  Angela,  the  Saxon  queene, 

All  fretted  round  with  gold,  and  goodly  wel  beseene.' 

69  The  same,  with  all  the  other  ornaments, 
King  Ryence  caused  to  be  hanged  hy 
In  his  chiefe  church,  for  endlesse  moniments 
Of  his  successe  and  gladfull  victory  : 
Of  which  herselfe  avising  •*  readily, 
In  th'  eveninsr  late  old  Glauce  thether  led 
Faire  Britomart,  and,  that  same  armory 
Downe  taking,  her  therein  appareled 

Well  as  she  might,  and  with  brave  bauldrick  garnished. 

6c  Beside  those  armes  there  stood  a  mightie  speare, 
Which  Bladud  made  by  magick  art  of  yore, 

1  Unweeting^  unknown.  *  Beseene,  appearing. 

2  Ealierijcon,  coat  of  mail.  *  Avising,  betliiiiking. 

LX.  1.  —  Bladiul\    Of  Bladud,  see  Book  II.  Canto  X.  Stanza 25. 


232  THIi    FAEKIE    QUEliNE. 

And  usd  the  same  in  batteill  aye  to  beare  ; 
Sith  which  it  had  beene  here  preserv'd  in  store, 
P'or  his  great  vertues  proved  long  afore : 
For  never  wight  so  fast  in  sell  ^  could  sit, 
But  him  perforce  unto  the  ground  it  bore : 
Both  speare  she  tooke  and  shield  which  hong  by  it ; 
Both  speare  and  shield  of  great  powre,  for  her  pur- 
pose fit. 

61  Thus  when  she  had  the  Virgin  all  arayd, 
Another  harnesse  which  did  hang  thereby 
About  herselfe  she  dight,'^  that  the  yong  mayd 
She  might  in  equall  armes  accompany, 

And  as  her  Squyre  attend  her  carefully  : 
Tho  to  their  ready  steedes  they  clombe  full  light ; 
And  through  back  waies,  that  none  might  them  espy, 
Covered  with  secret  cloud  of  silent  night, 
Themselves  they  forth  convaid,  and  passed  forward 
right. 

62  Ne  rested  they,  till  that  to  Faery  lond 
They  came,  as  Merlin  them  directed  late  : 
Where,  meeting  with  this  Redcrosse  Knight,  she  fond 
Of  diverse  thinges  discourses  to  dilate, 

But  most  of  Arthegall  and  his  estate. 
At  last  their  wayes  so  fell,  that  they  mote  part : 
Then  each  to  other,  well  affectionate, 
Frendship  professed  with  unfained  hart : 
The  Redcrosse  Knight  diverst^;  but  forth  rode  Bri- 
tomart. 

1  Sell,  saddle.  «  Diverst,  diverged,  turned  off. 

2  Di(/ht,  disposed. 


BOOK   III.       CANTO    IV.  233 


CANTO    IV. 


Bold  Marinell  of  Britoraart 
Is  throwne  on  the  Rich  Strond: 

Faire  Florimell  of  Arthure  is 
Long  followed,  but  not  fond. 


1  Where  is  the  antique  glory  now  become, 
That  whylome  wont  in  wemen  to  appeare  ? 
Where  be  the  brave  atchievements  doen  by  some  ? 
Where  be  the  batteilles,  where  the  shield  and  speare, 
And  all  the  conquests  which  them  high  did  reare, 
That  matter  made  for  famous  poets  verse, 
And  boastfuU  men  so  oft  abasht  to  heare  ? 
Beene  they  all  dead,  and  laide  in  dolefull  herse  ? 

Or  doen  they  onely  sleepe,  and  shall  againe  reverse  *  ? 

'i  If  they  be  dead,  then  woe  is  me  therefore ; 
But  if  they  sleepe,  O  let  them  soone  awake ! 
For  all  too  long  I  burne  with  envy  sore 
To  heare  the  warlike  feates  which  Homere  spake 
Of  bold  Penthesilee,  which  made  a  lake 
Of  Greekish  blood  so  ofte  in  Troian  plaine  ; 

1  Reverse,  return. 


II.  5.  —  Bi<ld  Penthesilee.]  Penthesilea  is  not  mentioned  by 
Homer.  She  came  to  the  assistance  of  Priam  during  the  latter 
years  of  the  Trojan  war.    H. 


*23i  THE    l-AERIE    QUEENE. 

But  when  I  reade,  how  stout  Debora  strake 
Proud  Sisera,  and  how  Camill'  hath  slaine 
The  huge  Orsilochus,  I  swell  with  great  disdaine. 

3  Yet  these,  and  all  that  els  had  puissaunce, 
Cannot  with  noble  Britomart  compare, 
As  well  for  glorie  of"  great  valiaunce, 

As  for  pure  chastitie  and  vertue  rare, 
That  all  her  goodly  deedes  doe  well  declare. 
Well  worthie  stock,  from  which  the  branches  sprong 
That  in  late  yeares  so  faire  a  blossorae  bare, 
As  thee,  0  Queene,  the  matter  of  my  song, 
Whose  lignage  from  this  Lady  I  derive  along ! 

4  Who  wlien,  through  speaches  with  the  Redcrosse 

Knight, 
She  learned  had  th'  estate  of  Arthegall, 
And  in  each  point  herselfe  informd  aright, 
A  frendly  league  of  love  perpetuall 

.    She  with  him  bound,  and  conge  tooke  withall. 
Then  he  forth  on  his  iourney  did  proceede, 
To  seeke  adventures  which  mote  him  befall, 
And  win  him  worship  through  his  warlike  deed. 

Which  alwaies  of  his  paines  he  made  the  chiefest  meed. 

5  But  Britomart  kept  on  her  former  course, 
Ne  ever  dofte  her  armes ;  but  all  the  way 
Grew  pensive  through  that  amarous  discourse. 


II.  7.  —  Slout  Debora  strake.]  This  was  done  by  Jael,  and  not 
Dcboi-ali.  See  .Fiulnes  iv.  21.  —  9.  Orsiluclius,  a  huge  Trojan  killed 
by  Cainilhi,  .Eiioiil,  XI.  GyO. 

III.  8.  —  0  Uiieene  ]     Queen  Elizabeth. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IV.  235 

By  which  the  Redcrosse  Knight  did  earst  display 
Her  lovers  shape  and  chevalrous  aray : 
A  thousand  thoughts  she  fashiond  in  her  mind  ; 
And  in  her  feigning  fancie  did  pourtray 
Him,  such  as  fittest  she  for  love  could  find, 
Wise,  warlike,  personable,^  courteous,  and  kind. 

6  With  such  selfe-pleasing  thoughts  her  wound  she 

fedd, 
And  thought  so  to  beguile  her  grievous  smart ; 
But  so  her  smart  was  much  more  grievous  bredd^ 
And  the  deepe  wound  more  deep  engord  her  hart, 
That  nought  but  death  her  dolour  mote  depart.'^ 
So  forth  she  rode,  without  repose  or  rest. 
Searching  all  lands  and  each  remotest  part. 
Following  the  guydaunce  of  her  blinded  guest,' 
Till  that  to  the  sea-coast  at  length  she  her  addrest. 

7  There  she  alighted  from  her  light-foot  beast. 
And,  sitting  dovvne  upon  the  rocky  shore, 
Badd  her  old  Squyre  unlace  her  lofty  creast: 
Tho,  having  vewd  a  while  the  surges  liore 
That  gainst  the  craggy  clifts  did  loudly  rore, 
\nd  in  their  raging  surquedry  *  disdaynd 
That  the  fast  earth  affronted  ^  them  so  sore, 
And  their  devouring  covetize  i-estraynd  ; 

Thereat  she  sighed  deepe,  and  after  thus  com  play  nd. 

8  "  Huge  sea  of  sorrow  and  tempestuous  griefe, 
Wherein  my  feeble  barke  is  tossed  long, 

1  Personaljle,  handsome.  •*  Surrpiedry,  insolence. 

2  Depiirl,  remove.  6  Affronted,  confrouted. 
*  I.  e.  Luve. 


236  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENE. 

Far  from  the  hoped  haven  of  reliefe, 
Why  doe  thy  cruel  billowes  beat  so  strong, 
And  thy  moyst  mountaines  each  on  others  throng, 
Threatning  to  swallow  up  my  fearefull  lyfe  ? 
O,  doe  thy  cruell  wrath  and  spightfull  wrong 
At  length  allay,  and  stint  ^  thy  stormy  stryfe, 
Which  in  thy  troubled   boAvels  raignes  and  rageth 
ryfe! 

9  ''  For  els  my  feeble  vessell,  crazd  and  crackt 
Through  thy  strong  buffets  and  outrageous  blowes, 
Cannot  endure,  but  needes  it  must  be  wrackt 

On  the  rough  rocks,  or  on  the  sandy  shallowes, 
The  whiles  that  Love  it  steres,  and  Fortune  rowes  : 
Love,  my  lewd  -  pilott,  hath  a  restlesse  minde  ; 
And  Fortune,  boteswaine,  no  assuraunce^  knowes  ; 
But  saile  withouten  starres  gainst  tyde  and  winde : 
How  can  they  other  doe,  sith  both  are  bold  and  blinde ! 

10  "  Thou  god  of  windes,  that  raignest  in  the  seas, 
That  raignest  also  in  the  continent, 

At  last  blow  up  some  gentle  gale  of  ease, 
The  which  may  bring  my  ship,  ere  it  be  rent, 
Unto  the  gladsome  port  of  her  intent ! 
Then,  wdien  I  shall  myselfe  in  safety  see, 
A  table,  for  eteruall  moniment 

1  Stint,  stop.  8  Assuraunce,  steadiness. 

2  Ltwd,  ignorant. 

X.  7.  —  A  table,  &c.]  It  was  the  custom  among  the  Romans 
for  any  one  who  escaped  sliipwreck  to  express  his  gratitude  by 
.langing  up,  in  the  temple  of  N(;])tiuie,  a  tablet  or  picture  repre- 
senting the  circumstances  of  his  danger  iwvl  escape.   IT. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IV.  237 

Of  thy  great  grace  and  ray  great  ieopardee, 
Great  Neptune,  I  avow  to  hallow  unto  thee  !  " 

11  Then  sighing  softly  sore,  and  inly  deepe, 
She  shut  up  all  her  plaint  in  privy  griefe  ; 
(For  her  great  courage  would  not  let  her  weepe ;) 
Till  that  old  Glauce  gan  with  sharpe  repriefe 
Her  to  restraine,  and  give  her  good  reliefe 
Through  hope  of  those  which  Merlin  had  her  t^ld 
Should  of  her  name  and  nation  be  chiefe, 
And  fetch  their  being  from  the  sacred  mould 

Of  her  immortall  womb,  to  be  in  heaven  enrold. 

\i  Thus  as  she  her  reconiforted,  she  spyde 
Where  far  away  one,  all  in  armour  bright, 
With  hasty  gallop  towards  her  did  ryde  : 
Her  dolour  soone  she  ceast,  and  on  her  dight  ^ 
Her  helmet,  to  her  courser  mounting  light : 
Her  former  sorrow  into  suddein  wrath 
( Both  coosen  ^  passions  of  distroubled  spright; 
Converting,  forth  she  beates  the  dusty  path  : 

Love  and  despight  attonce  her  courage  kindled  hath. 

Vi  As  when  a  foggy  mist  hath  overcast 

The  face  of  heven  and  the  cleare  ayre  engroste,' 
The  world  in  darkenes  dwels  ;  till  that  at  last 
The  watry  southwinde,  from  the  seabord  coste 
Upblowing,  doth  disperse  the  vapour  lo'ste,* 
And  poures  itselfe  forth  in  a  stormy  showre  ; 


1  Diglit,  jiut.  8  Eiifjroste,  made  thick. 

2  Coostn,  kindred.  ■*  Lo'ste,  dissolved. 


238  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

So  the  fayre  Britomart,  having  disclo'ste* 
Her  clowdy  care  into  a  wrathfull  stowre,* 
The  mist  of"  griefe  dissolv'd  did  into  vengeance  jiowre. 

14  Eftsoones,  her  goodly  shield  addressing  '  fayre, 
That  raortall  speare  she  in  her  hand  did  take, 
And  unto  battaill  did  herselfe  prepayre. 

The  Knight,  approching,  sternely  her  bespake : 
"  Sir  Knight,  tiiat  doest  thy  voyage  rashly  make 
By  this  forbidden  way  in  my  despight, 
Ne  doest  by  others  death  ensample  take, 
I  read*  thee  soone  retyre,  whiles  thou  hast  might, 
Least  afterwards  it  be  too  late  to  take  thy  flight." 

15  Ythrild  with  deepe  disdaine  of  his  proud  threat. 
She  shortly  thus  :  "  Fly  they,  that  need  to  fly  ; 
Wordes  fearen^  babes :  I  meane  not  thee  entreat 
To  passe  ;  but  maugre  thee  will  passe  or  dy  "  : 
Ne  lenger  stayd  for  th'  other  to  reply, 

But   with    sharpe   speare    the    rest    made   dearly 

knowne. 
Strongly  the  straunge  knight  ran,  and  sturdily 
Strooke  iier  full  on  the  brest,  that  made  her  downe 
Dechne  her  h(!ad,  and  touch   her  crouper  with  her 

crown. 


1  I.  e.  developed,  transmuted.  4  Read,  advise. 

2  Slowre,  fury.  6  Fearen,  frighten. 
8  Addrcssiiu/,  atljusting. 


XIV.  0.—  Tills  fo7-huhlenioa)/.]     In  the  romances  of  chivah-y, 
it  is  not  unfrpiiuPHt  for  a  Ivnight  to  station  himself  at  some  partic 
ular  spot,  and  to  compel  every  one  who  passes  to  joust  with  him. 

H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IV.  2b9 

18  But  she  againe  him  in  the  shield  did  smite 
With  so  fierce  furie  and  great  puissaunce, 
That,  through  his  three-square  scucliin^  percing 

quite 
And  through  his  mayled  hauberque,^  by  mischaunce 
The  wicked  Steele  through  his  left  side  did  glaunce  : 
Him  so  transfixed  she  before  her  bore 
Beyond  his  croupe,  the  length  of  all  her  launce  ; 
Till,  sadly  soucing^  on  the  sandy  shore, 

He  tombled  on^  an  heape,  and  wallowd  in  his  gore. 

17  Like  as  the  sacred  oxe  that  carelesse  stands 
With  gilden  homes  and  flowry  girlonds  crownd, 
Proud  of  his  dying  honor  and  deare  bandes, 
Whiles  th'  altars  fuine  with  frankincense  arownd, 
All  suddeinly  with  raortall  stroke  astownd 

Doth  groveling  fall,  and  with  his  streaming  gore 
Distaines  the  pillours  and  the  holy  grownd. 
And  the  faire  flowres  that  decked  him  afore  : 
So  fell  proud  Marinell  upon  the  Pretious  Shore. 

18  The  martiall  Mayd  stayd  not  him  to  lament, 
But  forward  rode,  and  kept  her  ready  way 
Along  the  strond ;  which,  as  she  over-went. 
She  saw  bestrowed  all  with  rich  aray 

Of  pearles  and  pretious  stones  of  great  assay ,^ 
And  all  the  gravell  mixt  with  golden  owre : 
Whereat  she  wondred  much,  but  would  not  stay 


1  Bcuchin,  shield.  *  On,  i.  e.  in. 

2  ffmtber<jtie,  coat  of  mail.  ^  Assay,  proof,  value. 
8  Siiilbi  saucing,  falling  heavily. 


240  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

For  gold,  or  perles,  or  pretious  stones,  an  howre, 
But  thein  despised  all,  for  ^  all  was  in  her  powre. 

19  "Whiles  thus  he  lay  in  deadly  stonishment, 
Tydings  hereof  came  to  his  mothers  eare  ; 
His  mother  was  the  blacke-browd  Cyraoent, 
The  daughter  of  great  Nereus,  which  did  beare 
This  warlike  sonne  unto  an  earthly  peare, 
The  famous  Dumarin  ;  who  on  a  day 
Finding  the  nymph  asleepe  in  secret  wheare,*^ 
As  he  by  chaunce  did  wander  that  same  way, 

Was  taken  with  her  love,  and  by  her  closely  lay. 

20  There  he  this  knight  of  her  begot,  whom  borne, 
She,  of  his  father,  Marinell  did  name  ; 

And  in  a  rocky  cave  as  wight  forlorne 
Long  time  she  fostred  up,  till  he  became 
A  mighty  man  at  armes,  and  mickle  fame 
Did  get  through  great  adventures  by  him  donne : 
For  never  man  he  suffred  by  that  same 
Rich  Strond  to  travell,  whereas  he  did  wonne,^ 
But  that  he  must  do  battail  with  the  Sea-nymphes 
sonne. 

v!i  An  hundred  knights  of  honorable  name 

He  had  subdew'd,  and  them  his  vassals  made : 


i  Foi\  notwithstanding.  8  Wbnne,  dwell. 

2  Wheare,  place  (as  in  everywhere). 

XX.  2.  —  MarindL]  Upton  conjectures  tliat  Lord  Howard, the 
Lord  High  Admiral  of  England,  is  imaged  under  the  character  of 
Marinell,  and  that  there  is,  in  Stanza  22,  an  allusion  to  the  rich 
prizes  taken  by  him  from  the  Spaniards.    H. 


liOOK    III.       CANTO    IV.  2-11 

That  through  all  Farie  Lond  his  noble  fame 
Now  blazed  was,  and  feare  did  all  invade, 
That  none  durst  passen  through  that  perilous  glade : 
And,  to  advaunce  his  name  and  glory  more. 
Her  sea-god  syre  she  dearely  did  perswade 
T'  endow  her  sonne  with  threasure  and  rich  store 
Bove  all  the  sonnes  that  were  of  earthly  wombes  ybore. 

22  The  god  did  graunt  his  daughters  deare  demaund, 
To  doen  his  nephew  ^  in  all  riches  flow : 
Eftsoones  his  heaped  waves  he  did  commaund 
Out  of  their  hollow  bosome  forth  to  throw 

All  the  huge  threasure,  which  the  sea  below 
Had  in  his  greedy  gulfe  devoured  deepe, 
And  him  enriched  through  the  overthrow 
And  wreckes  of  many  wretches,  which  did  weepe 
And  often  wayle  their  wealth  wliich  he  from  them 
did  keepe. 

23  Shortly  upon  that  shore  there  heaped  was 
Exceeding  riches  and  all  pretious  things, 
The  spoyle  of  all  the  world  ;  that  it  did  pas 

The  wealth  of  th'  East,  and  pompe  of  Persian  kings: 
Gold,  amber,  yvorie,  perles,  owches,'^  rings. 
And  all  that  els  was  pretious  and  deare. 
The  sea  unto  him  voluntary  brings  ; 
That  shortly  he  a  great  lord  did  appeare. 
As  was  in  all  the  lond  of  Faery,  or  else  wheare. 

M  Thereto  he  was  a  doughty  dreaded  knight, 
Tiyde  often  to  the  scath  of  many  deare,' 

1  Ntjilu'w,  grandson.        2  Qa-thes,  jewels.        ^  Beure,  deariv. 

VOL.    M.  IG 


242  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  none  in  equall  armes  him  matchen  might  • 
The  which  his  mother  seeing  gan  to  feare 
Least  his  too  haughtie  hardines  might  reare 
Some  hard  mishap  in  hazard  of  his  life : 
Forthy  ^  she  oft  him  counseld  to  forbeare 
The  bloody  batteill,  and  to  stirre  up  strife, 
But  after  all  his  warre  to  rest  his  wearie  knife : 

25  And,  for  his  more  assuraunce,  she  inquir'd 
One  day  of  Proteus  by  his  mighty  spell 
(For  Proteus  was  with  prophecy  inspir'd) 
Her  deare  sonnes  destiny  to  her  to  tell, 
And  the  sad  end  of  her  sweet  Marinell : 
Wiio,  through  foresight  of  his  eternall  skill, 
Bad  her  from  womankind  to  keepe  him  well ; 
For  of  a  woman  he  should  have  much  ill ; 

A  Virgin  straunge  and  stout  him  should  dismay  '-^  or 
kill. 

30  Forthy  she  gave  him  warning  every  day 
The  love  of  women  not  to  entertaine  ; 
A  lesson  too  too^  hard  for  living  clay, 
From  love  in  course  of  nature  to  refraine  ! 
Yet  he  his  mothers  lore  did  well  retaine. 
And  ever  from  fayre  ladies  love  did  fly ; 
Yet  many  ladies  fayre  did  oft  complaine, 
That  they  for  love  of  him  would  algates  ^  dy : 

Dy  who  so  list  for  him,  he  was  Loves  enimy. 


'  Fnrlhij,  therefore.  8  Too  too,  exceeding. 

2  Dismay,  ilciirive  of  strength,  overpower. 
*  Ahjaks,  by  all  means,  absolutely. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IV.  243^ 

27  But  all !  who  can  deceive  his  destiny, 
Or  weene  by  warning  to  avoyd  his  fate? 
That,  when  he  sleepes  in  most  security 
And  safest  seemes,  him  soonest  doth  amate,^ 
And  findeth  dew  effect  or  soone  or  late ; 

So  feeble  is  the  powre  of  fleshly  arme  ! 
His  mother  bad  him  wemens  love  to  hate, 
For  she  of  womans  force  did  feare  no  harme  ; 
So  weening  to  have  arm'd  him,  she  did  quite  di3~ 
arme. 

28  This  was  that  woman,  this  that  deadly  wownd. 
That  Proteus  prophecide  should  him  dismay ; 
The  which  his  mother  vainely  did  expownd 
To  be  hart-wownding  love,  which  should  assay 
To  bring  her  sonne  unto  his  last  decay. 

So  tide  -  be  the  termes  of  mortall  state 
And  full  of  subtile  sophismes,  which  doe  play 
With  double  sences,  and  with  false  debate, 
T'  approve  the  unknowen  purpose  of  eternall  fate, 

29  Too  trew  the  famous  Marinell  it  fownd ; 

Who,  through  late  triall,  on  that  Wealthy  Strond 
Inglorious  now  lies  in  sencelesse  swownd, 
Through  heavy  stroke  of  Britomartis  bond. 
Which  when  his  mother  deare  did  understond. 
And  heavy  tidings  heard,  whereas  she  playd 
Amongst  her  watry  sisters  by  a  pond, 
Gathering  sweete  daffadillyes,  to  have  made 
Gay  girlonds  from  the  sun  their  forheads  fayr  to  shade. 

I  Amate.^  confound.  2  Tide^  unstable. 


244  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

80  Eftesoones  *  both  flowres  and  gii*londs  far  away 
Shee  flong,  and  her  faire  deawy  locks  yrent ; 
To  sorrow  huge  she  turnd  her  former  play, 
And  gamesom  merth  to  grievous  dreriment'^ : 
Shee  threw  herselfe  downe  on  the  continent,' 
Ne  word  did  speake,  but  lay  as  in  a  swowne. 
Whiles  al  her  sisters  did  for  her  lament 
With  yelling  outcries,  and  with  shrieking  sowne  ; 

And  every  one  did  teare  her  girlond  from  her  crowne. 

31  Soone  as  shee  up  out  of  her  deadly  fitt 
Arose,  shee  bad  her  charott  to  be  brought ; 
And  all  her  sisters,  that  with  her  did  sitt, 
Bad  eke  attonce  their  charetts  to  be  sought : 
Tho,  full  of  bitter  griefe  and  pensife  thought, 
She  to  her  wagon  clombe  ;  clombe  all  the  rest, 
And  forth  together  went,  with  sorow  fraught : 
The  waves  obedient  to  theyr  beheast 

Them  yielded  ready  passage,  and  their  rage  surceast 

32  Great  Neptune  stoode  amazed  at  their  sight. 
Whiles  on  his  broad  rownd  backe  they  softly  slid, 
And  eke  himselfe  mournd  at  their  raournfuU  plight, 
Yet  wist  not  what  their  wailing  ment,  yet  did. 
For  great  compassion  of  their  sorow,  bid 

His  mighty  waters  to  them  buxome*  bee: 
Eftesoones  the  roaring  billowes  still  abid,® 
And  all  the  griesly  monsters  of  the  see 
Stood  gaping  at  their  gate,®  and  wondred  them  to  see. 

'  Eftesoones,  immediately.  4  Biixnme,  yielding. 

2  Dreriment,  sorrow.  6  Afjtd,  abode. 

8  d'-tdnenl,  land.  6  Qate,  procedure. 


BOOK    III,       CANTO    IV.  245 

S3  A  teme  of  dolphins  raunged  in  aray 

Drew  the  smooth  charett  of  sad  Cymoent ; 
They  were  all  taught  by  Triton  to  obay 
To  the  long  raynes  at  her  commaundement : 
As  swifte  as  swallowes  on  the  waves  they  went, 
That  their  brode  flaggy  flnnes  no  fome  did  reare, 
Ne  bubling  rowndell  ^  they  behinde  them  sent ; 
Tiie  rest,  of  other  fishes  di'awen  weare, 

Which   with  their  finny  oars  the  swelling  sea   did 
sheare. 

34  Soone  as  they  bene  arriv'd  upon  the  brim 

Of  the  Rich  Strond,  their  charets  they  forlore,' 

And  let  their  temed  fishes  softly  swim 

Along  the  margent  of  the  fomy  shore, 

Least  they  their  finnes  should  bruze,  and  surbate 

sore 

Their  tender  feete  upon  the  stony  grownd : 

And  coming  to  the  place,  where  all  in  gore 

And  cruddy*  blood  enwallowed  they  fownd 

The  lucklesse  Marinell  lying  in  deadly  swownd, 

35  His  mother  swowned  thrise,  and  the  third  time 
Could  scarce  recovered  bee  out  of  her  paine  ; 
Had  she  not  beene  devoide  of  mortall  slime, 
Shee  should  not  then  have  bene  rely  v'd  ^  againe  : 
But,  soone  as  life  recovered  had  the  raine, 

Shee  made  so  piteous  mone  and  deare  wayraent,' 


y  RmimdeU,  globula  *  Cruddy,  curdled. 

*  Fwlore,  left.  6  Relyv'd,  brought  to  life. 

"  Surbate,  batter.  6  Wayment,  lamentation. 


246  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  the  hard  rocks  could  scarse  from  tears  re- 

frahie  : 
And  all  her  sister  nymphes  with  one  consent 
Supplide  her  sobbing  breaches  ^  with  sad  complement. 

36  "  Deare  image  of  my  selfe,"  she  sayd,  "  that  is 
The  wretched  sonne  of  wretched  mother  borne, 
Is  this  thine  high  advauncement  ?    0,  is  this 

Th'  immortall  name,  with  which  thee  yet  unborne 
Thy  gransire  Nereus  promist  to  adorne  ? 
Now  lyest  thou  of  life  and  honor  refte  ; 
Now  lyest  thou  a  lumpe  of  earth  forlorne ; 
Ne  of  thy  late  life  memory  is  lefte  ; 
Ne  can  thy  irrevocable  desteny  be  wefte  ^  ! 

37  "  Fond  Proteus,  fjxther  of  false  prophecis ! 
And  they  more  fond  that  credit  to  thee  give ! 
Not  this  the  worke  of  womans  hand  y  wis,^ 

That  so  deepe  wound  through  these  deare  members 

drive. 
I  feared  love  ;  but  they  that  love  doe  live  ; 
But  they  tliat  dye  doe  nether  love  nor  hate  : 
Nath'lessc  to  thee  thy  folly  I  forgive  ; 
And  to  my.selfe,  and  to  accursed  fate, 
The  guilt  I  doe  ascribe :  deare  wisedom  bought  too 
late ! 

38  "  0 !  what  availes  it  of  immortall  seed 

To  beene  ybredd  and  never  boi-ne  to  dye  ? 


1 1,  e.  the  intervals  of  her  sobbing.  8  Yiois,  surely. 

-  Wefle,  -wuived,  or  avoided. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IV. 


247 


Farre  better  I  it  deenie  to  die  with  speed, 
Then  waste  in  woe  and  waylfull  miserye : 
Who  dyes,  the  utmost  dolor  doth  abye  ^ ; 
But  who  that  lives  is  lefte  to  waile  his  losse  r 
So  life  is  losse,  and  death  felicity : 
Sad  life  worse  then  glad  death  ;  and  greater  crosse 
To  see  frends  grave,  then  dead  the  grave  self  to  en- 
grosse.^ 

39  "  But  if  the  heavens  did  his  dayes  envie, 
And  my  short  blis  maligne,^  yet  mote  they  well 
Thus  much  afford  me,  ere  that  he  did  die, 
That  the  dim  eies  of  my  deare  Marinell 
I  mote  have  closed,  and  him  bed  farewell, 
Sith  other  offices  for  mother  meet 

They  would  not  graunt • 

Yett,  maulgre  them,  farewell,  my  sweetest  sweet ! 

Farewell,  my  sweetest  sonne,  sith  we  no  more  shall 
meet ! " 

10  Thus  when  they  all  had  sorowed  their  fill, 
They  softly  gan  to  search  his  griesly  wownd: 
And,  that  they  might  him  handle  more  at  will. 
They  him  disarmd ;  and,  spredding  on  the  grownd 
Their  watchet  *  mantles  frindgd  with  silver  rownd, 
They  softly  wipt  away  the  gelly  blood 
From  th'  orifice  ;  which  having  well  upbownd, 

1  Aiye,  abide.  8  Maligne,  grudge. 

2  Engrosse,  occupy.  *  Watchet,  pale  blue. 

XXXIX.   9.  —  So  the  Second  Edition.     First  Edition,  "  till  we 
^gaine  may  meet,"  —  an  expression  not  appropriate  to  a  Pagan. 


248  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

They  pourd  in  soveraine  balme  and  nectar  good, 
Good  both  for  erthly  med'cine  and  for  hevenly  food. 

41  Tho,  when  the  lilly-handed  Liagore 
rrhis  Liagore  whilome  had  learned  skill 
In  leaches  craft,  by  great  Apolloes  lore, 
Sith  her  whilome  upon  high  Pindus  hill 
He  loved,  and  at  last  her  wombe  did  fill 

With  hevenly  seed,  whereof  wise  Pa3on  sprong) 
Did  feele  his  pulse,  shee  knew  there  staled  still 
Some  litle  life  his  feeble  sprites  emong ; 
Which  to  his  mother  told,  despeyre  she  from  her  flong. 

42  Tho,  up  him  taking  in  their  tender  hands, 
They  easely  unto  her  charett  beare  : 

Her  teme  at  her  commaundement  quiet  stands, 
Whiles  they  the  corse  into  her  wagon  reare, 
And  strowe  with  flowres  the  lamentable  beare : 
Then  all  the  rest  into  their  coches  dim. 
And   through   the  brackish   waves    their  passage 

shear  ^ ; 
Upon  great  Neptunes  necke  they  softly  swim, 
And  to  her  watry  chamber  swiftly  carry  him. 

j3  Deepe  in  the  bottome  of  the  sea,  her  bowre  "^ 
Is  built  of  hollow  billowes  heaped  hye, 
Like  to  thicke  clouds  that  threat  a  stormy  showre, 
And  vauted'  all  within  like  to  the  skye. 
In  which  the  gods  doe  dwell  eternally  : 


1  Shear,  cut.  8  Vauted,  vaulted. 

2  Bowre,  clinmber,  dwelling. 


liOOK    III.       CANTO    IV.  249 

There  they  him  laide  in  easy  couch  well  dight,^ 
And  sent  in  haste  for  Tryphon,  to  apply 
Salves  to  his  wounds,  and  medicines  of  might : 
For  Tryphon  of  sea-gods  the  soveraine  leach  is  hight. 

44  The  whiles  the  nymphes  sitt  all  about  him  rownd, 
Lamenting  his  mishap  and  heavy  plight ; 

And  ofte  his  mother,  vewing  his  wide  wownd, 
Cursed  the  hand  that  did  so  deadly  smight 
Her  dearest  sonne,  her  dearest  harts  delight : 
But  none  of  all  those  curses  overtooke 
The  warlike  Maide,  th'  ensaraple^  of  that  might ; 
But  fairely  well  shee  thry vd,  and  well  did  brooke  ^ 
Her  noble  deeds,  ne  her  right  course  for  ought  forsooke. 

45  Yet  did  false  Archimage  her  still  pursew, 
To  bring  to  passe  his  mischievous  intent, 
Now  that  he  had  her  singled  from  the  crew 

Of  courteous  knights,  the  Prince  and  Fary  gent,* 
Whom  late  in  chace  of  beauty  excellent 
Shee  lefte,  pursewing  that  same  foster^  strong; 
Of  whose  fowle  outrage  they  impatient, 

1  Difjhi,  arranged.  5  Foster,  forester. 

2  I.  e.  who  liiid  given  this  specimen  of  her  power. 

8  1.  e.  she  suffered  no  evil  in  consequence  of  her  exploit. 
*  Gent,  noble. 

XLIII.  9.  —  For  Tryphon  of  sea-gods,  &c.]  Tryphon's  medi- 
cal diploma  is  of  Spenser's  own  conferring.  There  is  no  "  leech 
of  the  sea-gods  "  in  classical  mythology.    H. 

XLI V.  5.  —  Her  dearest  harts  deli[/ht.]  This  portion  of  the  nar- 
rative is  continued  in  Book  IV.  Canto  XL    H. 

XLV.  4.  —  The  Prince  and  Fary  ycnt.]  Prince  Arthur  and 
Sir  Guyon.     The  narrative  is  re.-umed  from  Canto  I.  Stanza  18. 

H. 


250  THE    I'AERIE    QUEENE. 

And  full  of  firy  zele,  him  followed  long, 
To  reskew  her  from  shame,  and  to  revenge  her  wrong. 

46  Through  thick   and  thin,  through  mountains  and 

through  playns, 
Those  two  gret  champions  did  dttonce  pursew 
The  fearefull  Damzell  with  incessant  payns ; 
"Wlio  from  them  fled,  as  light-foot  hare  from  vew 
Of  hunter  swifte  and  sent  ^  of  howndes  trew. 
At  last  they  came  unto  a  double  way  ; 
Where,  doubtfull  which  to  take,  her  to  reskew, 
Themselves  they  did  dispart,  each  to  assay 
Whether  more  happy  were  to  win  so  goodly  pray. 

47  But  Timias,  the  Princes  gentle  squyre, 
That  Ladies  love  unto  his  lord  forlent,^ 
And  with  proud  envy  and  indignant  yre 
After  that  wicked  foster  fiercely  went. 

So  beene  they  three  three  sondry  wayes  ybent : 
But  fayrest  fortune  to  the  Prince  befell ; 
Whose  chaunce  it  was,  that  soone  he  did  repent. 
To  take  that  way  in  which  that  Damozell 
Was  fledd  afore,  atfraid  of  him  as  feend  of  hell. 

48  At  last  of  her  far  of  he  gained  vew : 
Then  gan  he  freshly  pricke  his  fbmy  steed, 
And  ever  as  he  nighor  to  her  drew. 

So  evermore  he  did  increase  his  speed. 
And  of  eadi  turning  still  kept  wary  heed; 
Alowd  to  her  he  oftentimes  did  call. 


1  Sent,  scent.  2  Forhnt,  gave  np. 


BOOK    I\I,       CANTO    IV.  251 

To  doe  away  vaine  doubt  and  needlesse  dreed  : 
Full  myld  to  her  he  spake,  and  oft  let  fall 
Many  meeke  wordes  to  stay  and  comfort  her  withall. 

49  But  nothing  might  relent^  her  hasty  flight ; 
So  deepe  the  deadly  feare  of  that  foule  swaine 
Was  earst  impressed  in  her  gentle  sprighl 
Like  as  a  fearefull  dove,  which  through  the  vaine  ^ 
Of  the  wide  ayre  her  way  does  cut  amaine, 
Having  farre  off  espyde  a  tassell  gent. 
Which  after  her  his  nimble  winges  doth  straine, 
Doubleth  her  hast  for  feare  to  bee  for-hent,' 

And  with  her  pineons  cleaves  the  liquid  firmament. 

80  With  no  lesse  hast,  and  eke  with  no  lesse  dreed, 
That  fearefull  Ladie  fledd  from  him  that  meut 
To  her  no  evill  thought  nor  evill  deed  ; 
Yet  former  feare  of  being  fowly  shent* 
Carried  her  forward  with  her  first  intent : 
And  though,  oft  looking  backward,  well  she  vewde 
Herselfe  freed  from  that  foster  insolent. 
And  that  it  was  a  knight  which  now  her  sewde, 

Yet  she  no  lesse  the  Knight  feard  then  that  Villein 
rude. 


1  Relent,  slacken.  ^Raine,  realm. 

8  For-henl,  taken,  to  her  destruction.     ( Folios,  ybre-hent.) 
4  Shent,  outraged. 

XLIX.  6. —  TnsseU  fjen(.]  The  tassel  or  tercel  is  tlie  male  of  tha 
goshawk.  The  tassel-fjtiU  is  cominonly  said  to  be  so  called  on 
account  of  its  tractability;  but  it  more  probably  receives  the 
name  from  those  qualities  which  distinguish  it  from  the  base,  un- 
lerviceable  breed  of  kestrels  and  stannels.     C. 


252  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

61  His  uncouth  ^  shield  and  straunge  armes  her  dis- 
mayd, 
Whose  Hke  in  Faery  Lond  were  seldom  seene ; 
That  fast  she  from  him  fledd,  no  lesse  afrayd 
Then  of  wilde  beastes  if  she  had  chased  beene  : 
Yet  he  her  followd  still  with  corage  keeue 
So  long,  that  now  the  golden  Hesperus 
Was  mounted  high  in  top  of  heaven  sheene, 
And  warnd  his  other  brethren  ioyeous 

To  light  their  blessed  lamps  in  loves  eternall  hous. 

5i2  All  suddeinly  dim  wox  the  dampish  ayre, 
And  griesly  shadowes  covered  heaven  bright, 
That  now  with  thousand  starres  was  decked  fay  re: 
Which  when  the  Prince  beheld,  a  lothfuU  sight, 
And  that  perforce,  for  want  of  lenger  light, 
He  mote  surceasse  his  suit  and  lose  the  hope 
Of  his  long  labour  ;  he  gan  fowly  wyte  ^ 
His  wicked  fortune  that  had  turnd  aslope. 

And  cursed  Night  that  reft  from  him  so  goodly  scope.' 

53  Tiio,  when  her  wayes  he  could  no  more  descry, 
But  to  and  fro  at  disaventure  strayd  ; 
Like  as  a  ship,  whose  lodestar  suddeinly 
Covered  with  cloudes  her  pilott  hath  dismayd ; 
His  wearisome  pursuit  perforce  he  stayd, 
And  from  his  loftie  steed  dismounting  low 


o 


1  Umouih,  unknown,  strange.  8  Scope,  i.  e.  prospect. 

2  IVyte,  reproach. 

LI.  1.  —  IJis  uncoutli  shield.]    Prince  Arthur's  shield  was  cov- 
ered with  a  veil. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    IV.  253 

Did  let  him  forage :  downe  himselfe  he  layd 
Upon  the  grassy  ground  to  sleepe  a  throw  ^ ; 
The  cold  earth  was  his  couch,  the  hard  Steele  his  pil- 
low. 

64  But  gentle  Sleepe  envyde  him  any  rest ; 
Instead  thereof  sad  sorow  and  disdains 
Of  his  hard  hap  did  vexe  his  noble  brest, 
And  thousand  fancies  bett  his  ydle  brayne 
With  their  light  wings,  the  sights  of  serablants 

vaine  : 
Oft  did  he  wish  that  Lady  faire  mote  bee 
His  Faery  Queene,  for  whom  he  did  complaine ; 
Or  that  his  Faery  Queene  were  such  as  shee : 
And  ever  hasty  Night  he  blamed  bitterlie  : 

65  "  Night!  thou  foule  mother  of  annoyaunce  sad, 
Sister  of  heavie  Death,  and  nourse  of  Woe, 
Which  wast  begot  in  heaven,  but  for  thy  bad 
And  brutish  shape  thrust  downe  to  hell  below, 
Where,  by  the  grim  floud  of  Cocytus  slow, 
Thy  dwelling  is  in  Herebus  black  hous, 
CBlack  Herebus,  thy  husband,  is  the  foe 

Of  all  the  gods,)  where  thou  ungratious 
Halfe  of  thy  dayes  doest  lead  in  horrour  hideous : 

56  "  What  had  th'  Eternall  Maker  need  of  thee 
The  world  in  his  continuall  course  to  keepe. 
That  doest  all  thinges  deface,  ne  lettest  see 
The  beautie  of  his  worke  ?     Indeed,  in  sleepe 

I  Throw,  a  while.  2  Semblcmts,  phantoms. 


254  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

The  slouthfull  body  that  doth  love  to  steep 
His  lustlesse^  limbes,  and  drowne  his  basei  mind, 
Doth  praise  thee  oft,  and  oft  from  Stygian  deepe . 
Calles  thee,  his  goddesse,  in  his  errour  blind. 
And  great  dame  Natures  handmaide  chearing  every 
kind. 

57  "  But  well  I  wote  that  to  an  heavy  hart 
Thou  art  the  roote  and  nourse  of  bitter  cares, 
Breeder  of  new,  renewer  of  old  smarts  : 
Instead  of  rest  thou  lendest  rayling  ^  teares  ; 
Instead  of  sleepe  thou  sendest  troublous  feares 
And  dreadfull  visions,  in  the  which  alive 
The  dreary  image  of  sad  Death  appeares  : 
So  from  the  wearie  spirit  thou  doest  drive 

Desired  rest,  and  men  of  happinesse  deprive. 

»8  "  Under  thy  mantle  black  there  hidden  lye 
Light-shonning  Thefte,  and  Traiterous  Intent, 
Abhorred  Bloodshed,  and  vile  Felony, 
Shamefull  Deceipt,  and  Daunger  imminent, 
Fowle  Horror,  and  eke  hellish  Dreriment ' : 
All  these  I  wote  in  thy  protection  bee. 
And  light  doe  shonne,  for  feare  of  being  shent*: 
For  light  ylike  is  loth'd  of  them  and  thee  : 

And  all,  that  lewdnesse  ^  love,  doe  hate  the  light  to  see. 

69  "  For  day  discovers  all  dishonest  wayes, 
And  sheweth  each  thing  as  it  is  in  deed : 


o 


1  Lustlesse,  listless.  *  Slient,  shamed. 

2  RdijIiiH/,  trickling.  6  Letodnesse,  wickedness  generally 

3  Dreriment,  sorrow. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IV.  255 

The  prayses  of  High  God  he  faire  displayes, 
And  His  large  bountie  rightly  doth  areed  ^  : 
Dayes  dearest  childi'en  be  the  blessed  seed 
Which  Darknesse  shall  subdue  and  heaven  win : 
Truth  is  his  daughter ;  he  her  fii'st  did  breed 
Most  sacred  virgin  without  spot  .of  sinne  : 
Our  life  is  day ;  but  death  with  darknesse  doth  begin. 

60  "  0,  when  will  Day  then  turne  to  me  againe, 
And  bring  with  him  his  long-expected  light ! 
O  Titan  !  hast  to  reare  thy  ioyous  waine  ; 
Speed  thee  to  spred  abi'oad  thy  beames  bright, 
And  chace  away  this  too  long  lingring  Night ; 
Chace  her  away,  from  whence  she  came,  to  hell : 
She,  she  it  is,  that  hath  me  done  despight : 
There  let  her  with  the  damned  spirits  dwell, 

And  yield  her  rowme  to  Day,  that  can  it  governe  well." 

61  Thus  did  the  Prince  that  wearie  night  outweare 
In  restlesse  anguish  and  unquiet  paine  ; 

And  eai'ely,  ere  the  Morrow  did  upreare 
His  deawy  head  out  of  the  ocean  maine. 
He  up  arose,  as  halfe  in  great  disdaine, 
And  clombe  unto  his  steed.    So  forth  he  went 
With  heavy  looke  and  lumpish  pace,  that  plaine 
In  him  bewraid  great  grudge  and  maltalent  ^ : 
His  steed  eke  seemd  t'  apply  ^  his  steps  to  his  intent, 

*  Areed,  set  firth.  2  Maltalent,  ill-will,  spleen- 

*  Jffply,  ply ;  to  accommodate  his  pace. 


25G  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 


CANTO    V. 


Pnnce  Arthur  heares  of  FlorimeU ; 

Three  fosters  l  Timias  wound; 
Belphebe  findes  him  ahnost  dead, 

And  reareth  out  of  sovvnd. 


1  Wonder  it  is  to  see  in  diverse  mindes 
How  diversly  Love  doth  Iiis  pageaunts  play, 
And  shewes  his  powre  in  variable  kindes  * : 
The  baser  wit,  whose  ydle  thoughts  alway 
Are  wont  to  cleave  unto  the  lowly  clay, 

It  stirreth  up  to  sensuall  desire, 
And  in  lewd  slouth  to  wast  his  carelesse  day ; 
But  in  brave  sprite  it  kindles  goodly  fire, 
That  to  all  high  desert  and  honour  doth  aspire. 

2  Ne  suffereth  it  uncomely  Idlenesse 

In  his  free  thought  to  build  her  sluggish  nest  •, 
Ne  suffereth  it  thought  of  ungentlenesse 
Ever  to  creepe  into  his  noble  brest ; 
But  to  the  highest  and  the  worthiest 
Lifteth  it  up  that  els  would  lowly  fall 
It  lettes  not  fall,  it  lettes  it  not  to  rest ; 
It  lettes  not  scarse  this  Prince  to  breath  at  all. 
But  to  his  first  poursuit  him  forward  still  doth  call. 

1  Fo$lers,  foresters.  2  Variable  Jdndes,  various  sorts  oi  men 


II.  9.— Bultohisfirsl  pmirsuit,&.i:.]     See  Boole  T.  Canto  IX. 
Stanza  15. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    V.  257 

8  Who  long  time  wandred  through  the  forest  wyde 
To  finde  some  issue  thence  ;  till  that  at  last 
He  met  a  Dwarfe  that  seemed  terrifyde 
With  some  late  perill  which  he  hardly  past, 
Or  other  accident  which  him  aghast  ^ ; 
Of  whom  he  asked,  whence  he  lately  came, 
And  whether  now  he  travelled  so  fast : 
For  sore  he  swat,  and,  ronning  through  that  same 

Thicke  forest,  was   bescracht,  and  both  his  feet  nigh 
lame. 

4  Panting  for  breath,  and  almost  out  of  hart. 

The  Dwarft;  him  answerd :  "  Sir,  ill  mote  I  stay 
To  tell  the  same.    I  lately  did  depart 
From  Faery  Court,  where  I  have  many  a  day 
Served  a  gentle  lady  of  great  sway 
And  high  accompt  throughout  all  Elfin  Land, 
Who  lately  left  the  same,  and  tooke  this  way : 
Her  now  I  seeke  ;  and  if  ye  understand 
Which  way  she  fared  hath,  good   Sir,    tell   out   of 
hand."  2 

5  "  What  mister  wight," ^  saide  he,"  and  how  arayd?  " 
"  Royally  clad,"  quoth  he,  "  in  cloth  of  gold, 

As  meetest  may  beseeme  a  noble  mayd ; 
Her  faire  lockes  in  rich  circlet  be  enrold, 
A  fayrer  wight  did  never  sunne  behold  ; 

1  Af/hast,  terrified.  8  Mister  wight,  sort  of  person. 

2  Out  of  hand,  immediately. 


III.  3.  —  /7e  Viet  a  Dwarfe.]     Who  this  dwarf  was  is  told  us  in 
Book  V.  Canto  II   Stanza  3. 
vol..  VI.  17 


258  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  on  a  palfrey  rydes  more  white  then  snow, 
Yet  she  herself'e  is  whiter  manifold ; 
The  surest  signe,  whereby  ye  may  her  know, 
Is,  that  she  is  the  fairest  wight  alive,  I  trow." 

6  "  Now    certes,    Swaine,"    saide   he,  "  such  one,  I 

weene. 
Fast  flying  through  this  forest  from  her  fo, 
A  foule,  ill-favoured  foster,  I  have  seene ; 
Herselfe,  well  as  I  might,  I  reskewd  tho, 
But  could  not  stay  ;  so  fast  she  did  foregoe,^ 
Carried  away  with  wings  of  speedy  feare." 
"  Ah !    dearest   God,"    quoth  he,    "  that   is    great 

woe. 
And  wondrous  ruth  to  all  that  shall  it  heare : 
But   can  ye  read,^   Sir,   how  I   may  her  finde,  or 

where  ?  " 

7  "  Perdy,  me  lever  wej-e  ^  to  weeten  that," 
Saide  he,  "  then  ransome  of  the  richest  knight, 
Or  all  the  good  that  ever  yet  I  gat : 

But  froward  fortune,  and  too  forward*  night, 
Such  happinesse  did,  maulgre,^  to  me  spight,° 
And  fro  me  reft  both  life  and  light  attone.' 
But,  Dwarfe,  aread  what  is  that  Lady  bright 
That  through  this  forrest  wandreth  thus  alone ; 
For  of  her  errour^  straunge  I  have  great  ruth  and 
mone." 

1  Foree/oe,  go  forward.  6  Maulgre,  curse  on  it. 

2  Read,  say.  «  Spiylit,  gnidge. 
8  Me  lever  tvere,  I  would  rather.  ^  Atkme,  at  once. 

*  I.  e.  coming  on  too  fast.  8  Errour,  wandering. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    V.  259 

8  "  That  Ladie  is,"  quoth  he,  "  whereso  she  bee, 
The  bountiest  ^  vu-gin  and  most  debonaire 
That  ever  living  eye,  I  weene,  did  see  : 

Lives  none  this  day  that  may  with  her  compare 
In  stedfast  chastitie  and  vertue  rare, 
The  goodly  ornaments  of  beautie  bright ; 
And  is  ycleped  Florimell  the  Fayre, 
Faire  Florimell  belov'd  of  many  a  knight, 
Yet  she  loves  none  but  one,  that  Marinell  is  hight. 

9  "  A  Sea-nymphes  sonne,  that  Marinell  is  hight. 
Of  my  deare  dame  is  loved  dearely  well ; 

In  other  none,  but  him,  she  sets  delight ; 
All  her  delight  is  set  on  Marinell ; 
But  he  sets  nought  at  all  by  Florimell : 
For  2  ladies  love  his  mother  long  ygoe 
Did  him,  they  say,  forwarne  through  sacred  spell'r. 
But  fame  now  flies,  that  of  a  forreine  foe 
He  is  yslaine,  which  is  the  ground  of  all  our  woe.. 

10  "  Five  dales  there  be  since  he  (they  say)  was  slaine, 
And  fowre  since  Florimell  the  court  forwent,* 
And  vowed  never  to  returne  againe 

Till  him  alive  or  dead  she  did  invent.* 
Therefore,  faire  Sir,  for  love  of  knighthood  gent^ 
And  honour  of  trew  ladies,  if  ye  may 
By  your  good  counsell,  or  bold  hardiment,® 
Or  succour  her,  or  me  direct  the  way. 
Do  one  or  other  good,  I  you  most  humbly  pray : 

1  Bountiest,  best.  *  Invent,  find. 

2  F(yi\  against.  ^  Gtnt,  noble. 

3  Forwent,  left.  <<  llardhnenU  courage. 


260  THE    FAERIE    QDEENE. 

11  "So  may  ye  gaine  to  you  full  great  renowme 
Of  all  good  ladies  through  the  world  so  wide, 
And  haply  in  her  hart  finde  highest  rowrae^ 
Of  whom  ye  seeke  to  be  most  magnifide  ! 

At  least  eternall  meede  shall  you  abide." 

To  whom  the  Prince :  "  Dwarfe,  comfort  to  thee 

take  ; 
For,  till  thou  tidings  learne  what  her  betide, 
I  here  avow  thee  never  to  forsake  : 
III  weares  he  armes,  that  nill  ^  them  use  for  ladies 
sake." 

12  So  with  the  Dwarfe  he  backe  retourn'd  againe, 
To  seeke  his  Lady,  where  he  mote  her  finde ; 
But  by  the  way  he  greatly  gan  complaine 
The  want  of  his  good  Squire  late  left  behinde, 
For  whom  he  wondrous  pensive  grew  in  minde, 
For  doubt  of  daunger  which  mote  him  betide  ; 
For  him  he  loved  above  all  mankinde, 
Having  him  trew  and  faithfull  ever  tride,'* 

And  bold,  as  ever  squyre  that  waited  by  knights  side : 

13  Who  all  this  while  full  hardly  was  assayd 
Of  deadly  daunger  which  to  him  betidd  : 

For,  whiles  his  Lord  pursewd  that  noble  Mayd, 

After  that  foster  fowle  he  fiercely  ridd. 

To  bene  avenged  of  the  shame  he  did 

To  that  faire  Damzell.     Him  he  chaced  long 


o 


1  Rowme,  place.  8  Tride,  proved. 

2  Nill,  will  not. 

XII.  4.  —  Late  left  beJtinde.]     See  Canto  IV.  Stanza  47. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    V.  261 

Through  the  thicke  woods  wherein  he  would  have 

hid 
His  shamefuU  head  from  his  avengeraent  strong, 
Ajid  oft  hira  threatned  death  for  his  outrageous  wrong. 

14  Nathlesse  the  villein  sped  himselfe  so  well, 
Whether  through  swiftnesse  of  his  speedie  beast, 
Or  knowledge  of  those  woods  where  he  did  dwell, 
That  shortly  he  from  daunger  was  releast, 

And  out  of  sight  escaped  at  the  least ; 
Yet  not  escaped  from  the  dew  reward 
Of  his  bad  deedes,  which  daily  he  increast, 
Ne  ceased  not,  till  him  oppressed  hard 
The  heavie  plague  that  for  such  leachours  is  prepard. 

15  For,  soone  as  he  was  vanisht  out  of  sight, 
His  coward  courage  gan  emboldned  bee. 
And  cast  t'  avenge  hira  of  that  fowle  despight 
Which  he  had  borne  of  his  bold  eniraee  : 

Tho  to  his  brethren  came,  (for  they  were  three 
Ungratious  children  of  one  gracelesse  syre,) 
And  unto  them  complayned  how  that  he 
Had  used  beene  of  that  foole-hardie  Squyre  : 
So  them  with  bitter  words  he  stird  to  bloodie  yre. 

t6  Forthwith  themselves  with  their  sad  instruments 
Of  spoyle  and  murder  they  gan  arme  bylive,^ 
And  with  him  foorth  into  the  forrest  went 
To  wreake  the  wrath,  which  he  did  earst  revive 
In  their  sterne  brests,  on  him  which  late  did  drive 

1  Bylive,  quickly. 


2G2  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Their  brother  to  reproch  and  shamefuU  flight : 
For  they  had  vow'd  that  never  he  alive 
Out  of  that  forest  should  escape  their  might ; 
Vile  rancour  their  rude  harts  had  fild  with  such  de- 

spight. 

17  Within  that  wood  there  was  a  covert  glade, 
Foreby  ^  a  narrow  foord,  to  them  well  knowne, 
Through  which  it  was  uneath  -  for  wight  to  wade ; 
And  now  by  fortune  it  was  overflowne  : 

By  that  same  way  they  knew  that  Squyre  unknowne 
Mote  algates®  passe  ;  forthy  *  themselves  they  set 
There  in  await  with  thicke  woods  overgrowne, 
And  all  the  while  their  malice  they  did  whet 
With  cruell  threats  his  passage  through  the  ford  to  let.^ 

18  It  fortmied,  as  they  devized  had, 

The  gentle  Squyre  came  ryding  that  same  way, 
Unweeting  of  their  wile  and  treason  bad, 
And  through  the  ford  to  passen  did  assay  ; 
But  that  tierce  foster,  which  late  fled  away, 
Stoutly  foorth  stepping  on  the  further  shore, 
Him  boldly  bad  his  passage  there  to  stay, 
Till  he  had  made  amends,  and  full  restore 
For  all  the  damage  which  he  had  him  doen  afore. 

19  With  that,  at  him  a  quiv'ring  dart  he  threw 
With  so  fell  force,  and  villeinous  despite, 

That  through  his  haberieon  ^  the  forkehead  flew, 

1  Foreby,  near  to.  4  Forthy,  therefore. 

2  Uneath,  not  easy.  6  Let,  liiiider. 

8  AUjates,  at  all  events.  6  Ilaberievn,  coat  of  mail. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    V.  263 

And  through  the  linked  mayles  erapierced  quite, 
But  had  no  powre  in  his  soft  flesh  to  bite : 
That  stroke  the  hardy  Squire  did  sore  displease, 
But  more  that  him  he  could  not  come  to  smite  ; 
For  by  no  meanes  the  high  banke  he  could  sease. 
But  labour'd  long  in  that  deepe  ford  with  vaine  dis- 
ease.^ 

20  And  still  the  foster  with  his  long  bore-speare 
Him  kept  from  landing  at  his  wished  will : 
Anone  one  sent  out  of  the  thicket  neare 
A  cruell  shaft  headed  with  deadly  ill, 
And  fethered  with  an  unlucky  quill ; 
The  wicked  Steele  stayd  not  till  it  did  light 
In  his  left  thigh,  and  deepely  did  it  thrill- ; 
Exceeding  griefe  that  wound  in  him  empight,' 

But  more  that  with  his  foes  he  could  not  come  to 
fiffht. 


D 


21  At  last,  through  wrath  and  vengeaunce  making  way, 
He  on  the  bancke  arryvd  with  mickle  payne ; 
Where  the  third  brother  him  did  sore  assay, 
And  drove  at  him  with  all  his  might  and  mayne 
A  forest-bill,  which  both  his  hands  did  strayne ; 
But  warily  he  did  avoide  the  blow, 
And  with  his  speare  requited  him  agayne, 
That  both  his  sides  were  thrilled  with  the  throw,* 

And  a  lar"^e  streame  of  blood  out  of  the  wound  did 
flow. 


1  Disense,  uneasiness.  '  Empight,  infixed. 

2  Thrill,  pierce.  ■*  Throw,  thrust.     . 


264  THE  faj:rie  queene. 

22  He,  tonibling  downe,  with  gnashing  teeth  did  bite 
The  bitter  earth,  and  bad  to  lett  him  in 

Into  the  balefull  house  of  endlesse  night, 
Where  wicked  ghosts  doe  waile  their  former  sin. 
Tho  gan  tlie  battaile  freshly  to  begin ; 
For  nathemore  for  that  spectacle  bad 
Did  th'  other  two  their  cruell  vengeaunce  blin,^ 
But  both  attonce  on  both  sides  him  bestad,^ 
And  load  upon  him  layd,  his  life  for  to  have  had. 

23  Tho  when  that  villayn  he  aviz'd,^  which  late 
Affrighted  had  the  fairest  Florimell, 

Full  of  tiers  fury  and  indignant  hate 
To  him  he  turned,  and  with  rigor  fell 
Smote  him  so  rudely  on  the  pannikell,* 
That  to  the  chin  he  clefte  his  head  in  twaine : 
Downe  on  the  ground  his  carkas  groveling  fell ; 
His  sinfull  sowle  with  desperate  disdaine 
Out  of  her  fleshly  ferme  ^  fled  to  the  place  of  paine. 

24  That  seeing  now  the  only  last  of  three. 

Who "  with  that  wicked  shafte  him  wounded  had, 
Trembling  with  horror,  (as  that  did  foresee 
The  fearefuU  end  of  his  avengement  sad, 
Through  which  he  follow  should  his  brethren  bad,) 
His  bootelesse  bow  in  feeble  hand  upcaught, 


1  Blin,  cease.  4  Pannikell,  brain-pan,  skull. 

'^  Bestad,  beset.  5  Ferine,  lodging. 

*  Aviz'd,  perceived.  6  l.  e,  he  who. 

XXII.  9.  — And  load,  &c.]     Laid  a  load  or  weight  of  Llows 
upoi  him  in  order  to  take  his  life.     H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    V.  265 

And  therewith  shott  an  arrow  at  the  lad  ; 
Which,  fayntly  fluttring,  scarce  his  hehiiet  raught, 
And  glauncing  fel  to  ground,  but  him  annoyed  naught 

26  With  that  he  would  have  fled  into  the  wood ; 
But  Timias  him  lightly  overhent,^ 

Ri^ht  as  he  entring  was  into  the  flood, 
And  strooke  at  him  with  force  so  violent, 
That  headlesse  him  into  the  foord  he  sent ; 
The  carcas  with  the  streame  was  carried  downe, 
But  th'  head  fell  backeward  on  the  continent.^ 
So  mischief  fel  upon  the  raeaners  crowne  ^  : 
They  three  be  dead  with  shame ;  the   Squire  lives 
with  renowne : 

36  He  lives,  but  takes  small  ioy  of  his  renowne  ; 
For  of  that  cruell  wound  he  bled  so  sore, 
That  from  his  steed  he  fell  in  deadly  swowne ; 
Yet  still  the  blood  forth  gusht  in  so  great  store, 
That  he  lay  wallowd  all  in  his  owne  gore. 
Now  God  thee  keepe  !  thou  gentlest  Squire  alive, 
Els  shall  thy  loving  lord  thee  see  no  more ; 
But  both  of  comfort  hira  thou  shalt  deprive. 

And  eke  thyselfe  of  honor  which  thou  didst  atchive. 

27  Providence  hevenly  passeth  living  thought. 
And  doth  for  wretched  mens  reliefe  make  way ; 
For  loe  !  gi-eat  grace  or  fortune  thether  brought 
Comfort  to  him  that  comfortlesse  now  lay. 


1  Overhent,  overtook.  2  Continent,  dry  land. 

8  I.  e.  upon  the  head  of  those  that  meant  it. 


266  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

In  those  same  woods  ye  well  remember  may 
How  that  a  noble  hunteresse  did  wonne/ 
Shee,  that  base  Braggadochio  did  affray, 
And  made  him  fast  out  of  the  forest  ronne ; 
Belphcebe  was  her  name,  as  faire  as  Phasbus  sunne. 

23  She  on  a  day,  as  shee  pursewd  the  chace 

Of  some  wilde  beast,  which  with  her  arrowes  keene 
She  wounded  had,  the  same  along  did  trace 
By  tract  of  blood,  which  she  had  freshly  seene 
To  have  besprinckled  all  the  grassy  greene ; 
By  the  great  persue  which  she  there  perceav'd, 
Well  hoped  shee  tlie  beast  engor'd  '^  had  beene, 
And  made  more  haste  the  life  to  have  bereav'd : 

But  ah  !  her  expectation  greatly  was  deceav'd. 

Q9  Shortly  she  came  whereas  that  woefull  Squire 
With  blood  deformed  lay  in  deadly  swownd  ; 
In  whose  faire  eyes,  like  lamps  of  quenched  fire, 
The  cliristall  humor  stood  congealed  rownd ; 
His  locks,  like  faded  leaves  fallen  to  grownd, 
Knotted  with  blood  in  bounches  rudely  ran  ; 
And  his  sweete  lips,  on  which  before  that  stownd  ^ 


1  Wonne,  dwell.  8  Stownd,  (sad)  hour. 

2  EngorUl,  shot  through. 


XXVII.  5.  —  i'e  well  remember  may.]  See  Book  11.  Canto  HI. 
Stanza  21. 

XXVIII.  6.  —  Pi>rsue.\  If  this  word  is  allowed  to  stand,  it 
must  be  explained  y>Hcsui/,  i.  e.  tlie  trampling  of  dogs.  But  it  is 
not  improbably  a  misprint  for  Issue,  tlie  ^>er  being  cauglit  by  the 
pvmter's  eye  from  perceav'd.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    V.  267 

The  bud  of  youth  to  blossome  faire  began, 
Spoild  of  their  rosy  red,  were  woxen  pale  and  wan. 

30  Saw  never  living  eie  more  heavy  sight, 

That  could  have  made  a  rocke  of  stone  to  rew,^ 
Or  rive  in  twaine :  which  when  that  Lady  bright, 
Besides  ^  all  hope,  with  melting  eies  did  vew, 
AU  suddeinly  abasht  shee  chaunged  hew, 
And  with  sterne  horror  backward  gan  to  start : 
But,  when  shee  better  him  beheld,  shee  grew 
Full  of  soft  passion  and  unwonted  smart : 
The  point  of  pitty  perced  through  her  tender  hart. 

31  Meekely  shee  bowed  downe,  to  weete  if  life 
Yett  in  his  frosen  members  did  remaine  ; 
And,  feeling  by  his  pulses  beating  rife  ^ 

That  the  weake  sowle  her  seat  did  yett  retains, 
She  cast  to  comfort  him  with  busy  paine : 
His  double-folded  necke  slie  reard  upright, 
And  rubd  his  temples  and  each  trembling  vaine ; 
His  mayled  haberieon  *  she  did  undight, 
And  from  his  head  his  heavy  burganet  ^  did  light. 

32  Into  the  woods  thenceforth  in  haste  shee  went, 
To  seeke  for  hearbes  that  mote  him  remedy  ; 
For  shee  of  herbes  had  great  intendiment,® 
Taught  of  the  nymphe  which  from  her  infancy 
Her  nonrced  had  in  trew  nobility  : 


1  Reio,  pity,  ^  Haberieon,  coat  of  matL 

2  Besides,  without.  ^  Bai-gnnet,  lielmet. 

3  Rife,  frequently.  6  lutendiinent,  knowledge. 


268  THE    FAERIE    QUEEKE. 

There,  whether  yt  divine  Tobacco  were, 
Or  Panachaea,  or  Polygeny, 
Shee  fownd,  and  brought  it  to  her  patient  deare, 
Who  al  this  wJiile  lay  bleding  out  his  hart-blood  neare. 

^^  The  soveraine  weede  betwixt  two  marbles  plaine  ^ 
Shee  pownded  small,  and  did  in  peeces  bruze ; 
And  then  atweene  her  lilly  handes  twaine 
Into  his  wound  the  iuice  thereof  did  scruze  "^  ; 
And  round  about,  as  she  could  well  it  uze, 
The  flesh  therewith  shee  suppled "  and  did  steepe, 
T'  abate  all  spasme  and  soke  the  swelling  bruze ; 
And,  after  having  searcht  the  intuse  *  deepe, 

She  with  her  scarf  did  bind  the  wound,  from  cold  to 
keepe. 

34  By  this  he  had  sweet  life  recur'd  ^  agayne, 
And,  groning  inly  deepe,  at  last  his  eies, 
His  watry  eies,  drizling  like  deawy  rayne, 
He  up  gan  lifte  toward  the  azure  skies, 
From  whence  descend  all  hopelesse  ®  remedies : 
Therewith  he  sigh'd  ;  and,  turning  him  aside. 
The  goodly  Maide  full  of  divinities 
And  gifts  of  heavenly  grace  he  by  him  spide, 

Her  bow  and  gilden  quiver  lying  him  beside. 

1  Plaine,  smooth.  ■*  Inhtse,  contusion. 

2  Scruze,  cnisli.  S  Recur'd,  recovered. 

3  Suppled,  softened.  6  Hopelesse,  unexpected. 

XXXII.  6.  —  Divine  TobnccoJ]  Warton  conjectures  that  this 
honorable  mention  of  tobacco  was  intended  as  a  compliment 
to  Sir  \\'alter  Raleigh,  I)v  wliDni  it  liad  shortly  befure  been  iutro- 
luced  into  Enslaud.    H. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    V.  269 

85  "  Mercy  !  deare  Lord,"  said  he,  "  what  grace  is  this 
That  thou  hast  shewed  to  me,  sint'ull  wight, 
To  send  thine  angell  from  her  bowre  of  bhs 
To  comfort  me  in  my  distressed  phght ! 
Angell,  or  goddesse,  doe  I  call  thee  right? 
What  service  may  I  doe  unto  thee  meete, 
That  hast  from  darkenes  me  returnd  to  light, 
And  with  thy  hevenly  salves  and  med'cines  sweets 

Hast  drest  my  sinful!  wounds !    I  kisse  thy  blessed 
feete." 

36  Thereat  she  blushing  said  :  "  Ah  !  gentle  Squire, 
Nor  goddesse  I,  nor  angell,  but  the  mayd 

And  daughter  of  a  woody  nymphe,  desire 
No  service  but  thy  safety  and  ayd  ; 
Which  if  thou  gaine,  I  shal  be  well  apayd.^ 
Wee  mortall  wights,  whose  lives  and  fortunes  bee 
To  commun  accidents  stil  open  layd. 
Are  bownd  with  commun  bond  of  frai'ltee, 
To  succor  wretched  wights  whom  we  captived  see." 

37  By  this  her  damzells,  which  the  former  chace 
Had  undertaken  after  her,  arryv'd, 

As  did  Belphcebe,  in  the  bloody  place, 
And  thei'eby  deemd  the  beast  had  bene  depriv'd 
Of  life,  whom  late  their  ladies  arrow  ry  v'd  ^ : 
Forthy  ^  the  bloody  tract  they  foUowd  fast. 
And  every  one  to  ronne  the  swiftest  stryv'd  ; 
But  two  of  them  the  rest  far  overpast, 
A.nd  Avhere  their  lady  was  arrived  at  the  last. 

1  Ajiayd,  satisfied.  8  Forlliy,  therefore. 

2  Rijv'd,  pierced. 


27U  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

38  Where  when  they  saw  that  goodly  boy  with  blood 
Defowled,  and  their  lady  dresse  his  wownd, 
They  wondred  much ;  and  shortly  understood 
How  him  in  deadly  case  theyr  lady  fownd, 

And  reskewed  out  of  the  heavy  stownd.^ 
Eftsoones  his  warlike  courser,  which  was  strayd 
Farre  in  the  woodes  whiles  that  he  lay  in  swownd, 
She  made  those  damzels  search  ;  which  being  stayd, 
They  did  him  set  theron,  and  forth  with  them  convayd. 

39  Into  that  forest  farre  they  thence  him  led 
Where  was  their  dwelling ;  in  a  pleasant  glade 
With  mountaines  rownd  about  environed 

And  mightie  woodes,  which  did  the  valley  shade, 
And  like  ^  a  stately  theatre  it  made, 
Spreading  itselfe  into  a  spatious  plaine ; 
And  in  the  midst  a  little  river  plaide 
Emongst  the  pumy  ^  stones,  which  seemd  to  plaine 
With  gentle  murraure  that  his  cours  they  did  restraine. 

40  Beside  the  same  a  dainty  place  there  lay, 
Planted  with  mirtle  trees  and  laurells  greene, 
In  which  the  birds  song  many  a  lovely  lay 

Of  Gods  high  pi-aise,  and  of  their  loves  sweet  teene,^ 
As  it  an  earthly  paradize  had  beene  : 
In  whose  enclosed  shadow  there  was  pight'' 
A  faire  pavilion,  scarcely  to  be  seene. 
The  whicli  was  al  witiiin  most  rielily  dight, 
That  greatest  princes  hiving*^  it  mote  well  delight. 

1  Stownil,  exigence,  situation.  *   Teene,  pain. 

2  Like,  as  it  were.  6  Pit/lil,  j)hiced. 

8  Pumy,  porous.  6  Later  eds.  Uviny. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    V.  271 

41  Thether  they  brought  that  wounded  Squyre,  and 

layd 
In  easie  couch  his  feeble  limbes  to  rest. 
He  rested  him  awhile ;  and  then  the  Mayd 
His  readie  wound  with  better  salves  new  drest : 
Daily  she  dressed  him,  and  did  the  best, 
His  grievous  hurt  to  guarish,^  that  she  might ; 
That  shortly  she  his  dolour  hath  redrest, 
And  his  foule  sore  reduced  to  faire  plight: 
It  she  reduced,  but  himselfe  desti-oyed  quight. 

42  O  foolish  physick,  and  unfruitfull  paine,*^ 
That  heales  up  one,  and  makes  another  wound 
She  his  hurt  thigh  to  him  recurd  againe, 

But  hurt  his  hart,  the  which  before  was  sound, 
Through  an  unwary  dart  which  did  rebownd 
From  her  faire  eyes  and  gratious  countenaunce 
What  bootes  it  him  from  death  to  be  unbownd, 
To  be  captived  in  endlesse  duraunce 
Of  sorrow  and  despeyre  without  aleggeaunce  '  ! 

43  Still  as  his  wound  did  gather,  and  grow  hole, 
So  still  his  hart  woxe  sore,  and  health  decayd : 
Madnesse  to  save  a  part,  and  lose  the  whole  ! 
Still  whenas  he  beheld  the  heavenly  Mayd, 
Whiles  dayly  playsters  to  his  wownd  she  layd, 
So  still  his  malady  the  more  increast, 

The  whiles  her  matchlesse  beautie  him  dismavd.^ 
Ah  God  !  what  other  could  he  doe  at  least, 
Rut  love  so  fayre  a  lady  that  his  life  releast ! 

-  O'uarish,  heal.  8  Alleffgemmcc,  ixUe^nation. 

2  Paine,  labor.  "•  Dismnyd,  overpowered. 


272  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

44  Long  while  he  strove  in  his  corageous  brest 
With  reason  dew  the  passion  to  subdew, 
And  love  for  to  dislodge  out  of  his  nest : 
Still  when  her  excellencies  he  did  vew, 
Her  soveraine  bountie  ^  and  celestiall  hew, 
The  same  to  love  he  strongly  was  constraynd : 
But,  when  his  meane  estate  he  did  revew. 

He  from  such  hardy  boldnesse  was  restraynd, 
And  of  his  lucklesse  lott  and  cruell  love  thus  playnd : 

45  "  Unthankfull  wretch,"  said  he,  "  is  this  the  meed, 
With  which  her  soverain  mercy  thou  doest  quight  ? 
Thy  life  she  saved  by  her  gratious  deed  ; 

But  thou  doest  weene  with  villeinous  despight 
To  blott  her  honour  and  her  heavenly  light : 
Dye  rather,  dye,  then  so  disloyally 
Deeme  of  her  high  desert,  or  seeme  so  light : 
Fayre    death    it   is,   to    shonne    more   shame,    to 
dy: 
Dye  rather,  dy,  then  ever  love  disloyally. 

46  "  But  if  to  love  disloyalty  it  bee. 

Shall  I  then  hate  her  that  from  deathes  dore 
Me  brought  ?  ah  !  farre  be  such  reproch  fro  mee ! 
What  can  I  lesse  doe  then  her  love  therefore. 
Sith  I  her  dew  reward  cannot  restore  "* 
Dye  rather,  dye,  and  dying  doe  her  serve ; 
Dying  her  serve,  and  living  her  adore  ; 
Thy  life  she  gave,  thy  life  she  doth  deserve: 
Dye  rather,  dye,  then  ever  from  her  service  swerve 

1  Bountie,  goodness. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    V. 


273 


n  «  But,  foolish  boy,  what  bootes  thy  service  bace 
To  her,  to  whom  the  havens  doe  serve  and  sew^  ? 
Thou,  a  meane  squyre,  of  meeke  and  lowly  place; 
She,  hevenly  borne  and  of  celestiall  hew. 
How  then  ?  of  all  Love  taketh  equall  vew  : 
And  doth  not  Highest  God  vouchsafe  to  take 
The  love  and  service  of  the  basest  crew  ? 
If  she  will  not,  dye  meekly  for  her  sake  : 

Dye  rather,  dye,  then  ever  so  faire  love  forsake ! " 

48  Thus  warreid  ^  he  long  time  against  his  will ; 
Till  that  through  weaknesse  he  was  forst  at  last 
To  yield  himselfe  unto  the  mightie  ill ; 
Which,  as  a  victour  proud,  gan  ransack  fast 
His  inward  partes,  and  all  his  entrayles  wast, 
That  neither  blood  in  face  nor  life  in  hart 

It  left,  but  both  did  quite  drye  up  and  blast; 
As  percing  levin,  which  the  inner  part 
Of  every  thing  consumes  and  calciueth  by  art. 

49  Which  seeing,  fayre  Belphoebe  gan  to  feare 
Least  that  his  wound  were  inly  well  not  heald, 
Or  that  the  wicked  Steele  empoysned  were : 
Litle  shee  weend  that  love  he  close  conceald. 
Yet  still  he  wasted,  as  the  snow  congeald 

1  Sew,  follow,  obey.  *  Warreid,  contended. 


XLVII.  2.  —  An  allusion  to  the  destruction  of  the  Spanish  fleet 
by  storms.  Timias's  atTection  for  Belphoebe  is  thought  to  signify 
Raleigh's  admiration  for  the  Queen. 

XLVIII.  9.  —  Calcineth  by  art]  This  expression  occasions 
some  trouble  if  levin  be  explained  lightning.  By  art  would  most 
naturally  signify,  in  a  wonderful  or  mysterious  way.    C. 

vol,,  n.  18 


274  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

When  the  bright  sunne  his  beams  theron  doth  beat  5 
Yet  never  he  his  hart  to  her  reveald  ; 
But  rather  chose  to  dye  for  sorow  great, 
Then  with  dishonorable  terraes  her  to  entreat. 

60  She,  gracious  lady,  yet  no  paines  did  spare 
To  doe  him  ease,  or  doe  him  remedy : 
Many  restoratives  of  vertues  rare 
And  costly  cordialles  she  did  apply, 
To  mitigate  his  stubborne  malady  : 
But  that  sweet  cordiall,  which  can  restore 
A  love-sick  hart,  she  did  to  him  envy  ^  ; 
To  him,  and  to  all  th'  unworthy  world  forlore, 

She  did  env^  that  soveraine  salve  m  secret  store. 


61  That  daintie  rose,  the  daughter  of  her  morne, 
More  deare  then  life  she  tendered,  whose  flowre 
The  girlond  of  her  honour  did  adorne : 
Ne  suffred  she  the  middayes  scorching  powre, 
Ne  the  sharp  northerne  wind  thereon  to  showre ; 
But  lapped  up  her  silken  leaves  most  chayre,* 
Whenso  the  froward  skye  began  to  lowre  ; 
But,  soone  as  calmed  was  the  christall  ayre, 

She  did  it  fayre  disj)red  and  let  to  florish  fayre. 

5-2  Eternall  God,  in  his  almightie  powre. 
To  make  ensample  of  his  heavenly  grace, 
In  paradize  whylome  did  j)lant  this  flowre  ; 
Whence  he  it  fetcht  out  of  her  native  place. 
And  did  in  stocke  of  earthly  flesh  enrace,' 

1  Fnvy,  grudge,  deny.  2  Qmyre,  chary. 

3  Enrace,  implant. 


BOOK    in.       CANTO    V.  27& 

Tliat  mortall  men  her  glory  should  admyre. 
In  sentle  ladies  breste  and  bounteous  race 
Of  woman-kind  it  fayrest  flowre  doth  spyre,^ 
Aiid  beareth  fruit  of  honour  and  all  chast  desyre. 

53  Fayre  ympes^  of  beautie,  whose  bright  shining- 
beames 
Adorne  the  world  with  like  to  heavenly  light, 
And  to  your  willes  both  royalties  and  reames  * 
Subdew,  through  conquest  of  your  wondrous  might ;: 
With  this  fayre  flowre  your  goodly  girlonds  dight  *" 
Of  chastity  and  vertue  virginall, 
That  shall  embellish  more  your  beautie  bright, 
And  crowne  your  heades  with  heavenly  coronally 

Such  as  the  Angels  weare  before  Gods  tribunall ! 


'&^ 


54  To  youre  faire  selves  a  faire  ensample  frame 
Of  this  faire  virgin,  this  Belphebe  fayre  ; 

To  whom,  in  perfect  love  and  spotlesse  fame 
Of  chastitie,  none  living  may  compayre: 
Ne  poysnous  envy  iustly  can  empayre 
The  prayse  of  her  fre.sh-flowring  maydenhead  ; 
Forthy  she  standeth  on  the  highest  stay  re 
Of  th'  honorable  stage  of  womanhead. 
That  ladies  all  may  follow  her  ensample  dead. 

55  In  so  great  prayse  of  stedfast  chastity 
Nathlesse  she  was  so  courteous  and  kynde, 
Tempred  with  grace  and  goodly  modesty, 

1  Spyi-e,  shoot  forth.  3  Beames,  reahns. 

2  Yiiipes,  daughters.  •*  IHght,  adorn. 


276  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  seemed  those  two  vertues  strove  to  fynd 
The  higher  place  in  her  heroick  mynd  : 
So  striving  each  did  other  more  augment, 
And  both  encreast  the  prayse  of  womankynde, 
And  both  encreast  her  beautie  excellenf : 
So  all  did  make  in  her  a  perfect  complement.^ 

1  GonifiUment,  complete  character. 


BOOK   in.       CANTO    VI. 


277 


CANTO    VI. 


The  Birth  of  fayre  Belphoebe  and 

Of  Amoi-ett  is  told : 
The  Gardins  of  Adonis  fraught 

With  pleasures  manifold. 


I  Well  may  1  weene,  faire  Ladies,  all  this  while 
Ye  wonder  how  this  noble  Damozeli 
So  great  perfections  did  in  her  compile,^ 
Sith  that  in  salvage  forests  she  did  dwell, 
So  farre  from  court  and  royall  citadell, 
The  great  schoolmaistresse  of  all  courtesy  : 
Seemeth  that  such  wilde  woodes  should  far  expell 
All  civile  usage  and  gentility, 

And  gentle  sprite  deforme  with  rude  rusticity. 

1  But  to  this  faire  Belphoebe  in  her  berth 
The  hevens  so  favorable  were  and  free, 
Looking  with  myld  aspect  upon  the  earth 
In  th'  horoscope  of  her  nativitee. 
That  all  the  gifts  of  grace  and  chastitee 
On  her  they  poured  forth  of  plenteous  home  : 
love  laught  on  Venus  from  his  soverayne  see,* 
And  Phcebus  with  faire  beames  did  her  adorne, 

And  all  the  Graces  rockt  her  cradle  being  borne. 

1  Compile,  combine.  2  See,  seat. 


278  THE    FAERIE    QUEEN E. 

s  Her  berth  was  of  the  wombe  of  morning  dew, 
And  her  conception  of  the  ioyous  Prime  ; 
And  all  her  whole  creation  did  her  shew 
Pure  and  unspotted  from  all  loathly  crime 
That  is  ingenerate  in  fleshly  slime : 
So  was  this  Virgin  borne,  so  was  she  bred  ; 
So  was  she  trayned  up  from  time  to  time 
In  all  chaste  vertue  and  true  bountihed, 
Till  to  her  dew  jierfection  she  were  ripened. 

4  Her  mother  was  the  faire  Chrysogonee, 
The  daughter  of  Amphisa,  who  by  race 
A  Faerie  was,  yborne  of  high  degree  : 
She  bore  Belpha^be  ;  she  bore  in  like  cace 
Fayre  Amoretta  in  the  second  place  : 
These  two  were  twinnes,  and  twixt  them  two  did 

share 
The  heritage  of  all  celestiall  grace  ; 
That  all  the  rest  it  seemd  they  robbed  bare 
Of  bounty,  and  of  beautie,  and  all  vertues  rare. 

6  It  were  a  goodly  storie  to  declare 
By  what  straunge  accident  faire  Chrysogone 


III.  1,  2.  —  That  is,  she  was  begotten  by  Spring  of  the  morn- 
ing dew.  The  expression  in  the  first  line  is  caught  from  the  3d 
verse  of  the  110th  Psahn:  "The  dew  of  thy  birth  is  of  the  womb 
of  the  morning"  (Coverdale),  —  a  sentence  without  meaning.  The 
original  signifies,  "  Thy  youth  shall  come  forth  like  dew  from  the 
womb  of  the  morning"  (Noyes),  —  a  notion  quite  different  from 
what  Spenser  intends.     C. 

IV.  1.  —  The  /aire  Chrysoyonee.]  This  pedigree  is  entirely 
fanciful,  and  though  Belphcebe  is  Queen  Elizabeth,  Chrysogoueo 
is  not  Anne  Boleyn.    IT. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    VI.  279 

Conceiv'd  these  infants,  and  how  them  she  bare 
In  this  wilde  forrest  wandring  all  alone, 
After  she  had  nine  moneths  fulfild  and  gone  : 
For  not  as  other  wemens  commune  brood 
They  were  enwombed  in  the  sacred  throne 
Of  her  chaste  bodie  ;  nor  with  commune  food, 
As  other  wemens  babes,  they  sucked  vital  1  blood : 

6  But  wondrously  they  were  begot  and  bred. 
Through  influence  of  th'  hevens  fruitfuU  ray, 
As  it  in  antique  bookes  is  mentioned. 

It  was  upon  a  sommers  shinie  day, 
When  Titan  faire  his  beames  did  display. 
In  a  fresh  fountaine,  far  from  all  mens  vew, 
She  bath'd  her  brest  the  boyling  heat  t'  allay ; 
She  bath'd  with  roses  red  and  violets  blew, 
And  all  the  sweetest  flowres  that  in  the  forrest  grew : 

7  Till,  faint  through  yrkesome  wearines,  adowne 
Upon  the  grassy  ground  herselfe  she  layd 

To  sleepe,  the  whiles  a  gentle  slombring  swowne 
Upon  her  fell  all  naked  bare  displayd  : 
The  sunbeames  bright  upon  her  body  playd, 
Being  through  former  bathing  moUifide, 
And  pierst  into  her  wombe ;  where  they  embayd^ 
With  so  sweet  sence  and  secret  power  unspide. 
That  in  her  pregnant  flesh  they  shortly  fructifide. 

b  Miraculous  may  seeme  to  him  that  reades 
So  straunge  ensample  of  conception ; 

1  Emhayd,  bathed. 


280  THE    FAKRIE    QUEENE. 

But  reason  teacheth  that  the  fruitfull  seades 
Of  all  things  living,  through  impression 
Of  the  sunbeames  in  moyst  complexion,^ 
Doe  life  conceive  and  quickned  are  by  kynd  ^ : 
So,  after  Nilus  inundation, 
Infinite  shapes  of  creatures  men  doe  fynd 
fnformed  ^  in  the  mud  on  which  the  sunne  hath  shynd. 

9  Great  father  he  of  generation 
Is  rightly  cald,  th'  authour  of  life  and  light ; 
And  his  faire  sister  for  creation 
Ministreth  matter  fit,  which,  tempred  right 
Witli  heate  and  humour,  breedes  the  living  wight. 
So  sprong  these  tvvinnes  in  womb  of  Chrysogone ; 
Yet  wist  she  nought  thereof,  but,  sore  affright, 
Wondred  to  see  her  belly  so  upblone. 
Which  still  increast  till  she  her  terme  had  full  outgone. 

10  Whereof  conceiving  shame  and  foule  disgrace, 
Albe  her  guiltlesse  conscience  her  cleard, 
She  fled  into  the  wildernesse  a  space, 
Till  tliat  un\ve(ildy  burden  she  had  reard,* 
And  shund  dishonor  which  as  death  she  feard : 
Where,  wearie  of  long  traveill,  downe  to  rest 
Herselfe  she  set,  and  comfortably  cheard  ; 
There  a  sad  cloud  of  sleepe  her  overkest, 

And  seized  every  sence  with  sorrow  sore  opprest. 

1  Complexion,  condition,  or  constitution.  2  Ki/nd,  nature. 

8  Informed,  sli;ipeless  (a  Latiiiism). 
"^  Beard,  discharged  (cf.  IV.  vi.  6). 


VIII.  7.  —  So,  (if la-  Niliis,  &c.]     This  story  has  already  been 
alluded  to,  Book  I.  Canto  I.  Stanza  21. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VI.  281 

11  It  fortuned,  faire  Venus  having  lost 

Her  little  sonne,  the  winged  God  of  Love, 
Who  for  some  hght  displeasure,  which  him  crost. 
Was  from  her  fled  as  flit^  as  ayery  dove, 
And  left  her  bhsfull  bowre  of  ioy  above ; 
(So  from  her  often  he  had  fled  away, 
When  she  for  ought  him  sharpely  did  reprove. 
And  wandred  in  the  world  in  straunge  aray, 
Disguiz'd  in  thousand  shapes,  that  none  might  him 
bewray  ;) 

12  Him  for  to  seeke,  she  left  her  heavenly  hous, 
The  house  of  goodly  formes  and  faire  aspect, 
Whence  all  the  world  derives  the  glorious 
Features  of  beautie,  and  all  shapes  select. 

With  which  High  God  his  workmansliip  hath  deckt ; 
And  searched  everie  way  through  which  his  wings 
Had  borne  him,  or  his  tract  she  mote  detect : 
She  promist  kisses  sweet,  and  sweeter  things, 
Unto  the  man  that  of  him  tydings  to  her  brings. 

13  First  she  him  sought  in  Court,  where  most  he  us'd 
Wliylome  to  haunt,  but  there  she  found  him  not ; 
But  many  there  she  found  which  sore  accus'd 
His  falshood,  and  with  fowle  infamous  blot 

His  cruell  deedes  and  wicked  wyles  did  spot : 
Ladies  and  lordes  she  every  where  mote  heare 
Complayning,  how  with  his  empoysned  shot 

1  Flit,  fleet. 


XI.  1.  —  Venus  haiinrj  lost,  &c.]     Tliis  incident  was  suggested 

liy  a  very  pretty  idyl  of  jMosclius,  culled  "  Love  a  Fugitive."    H. 


282  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Their  wofull  harts  he  wounded  had  whyleare,^ 
And  so  had  left  them  languishing  twixt  hope  and  feare, 

14  She  then  the  cities  sought  from  gate  to  gate, 
And  everie  one  did  aske,  Did  he  him  see  ? 
And  everie  one  her  answei'd,  that  too  late 
He  had  him  scene,  and  felt  the  crueltee 

Of  his  sharpe  dartes  and  whot  artilleree  : 
And  every  one  threw  forth  repi'oches  rife 
Of  his  mischievous  deedes,  and  sayd  that  hee 
Was  the  disturber  of  all  civill  life, 
The  enimy  of  peace,  and  authour  of  all  strife. 

15  Then  in  the  countrey  she  abroad  him  sought, 
And  in  the  rurall  cottages  inquir'd  ; 

"Where  also  many  plaintes  to  her  were  brought. 
How  he  tlieir  heedelesse  harts  with  love  had  fir'd, 
And  his  false  venira  through  their  veines  inspir'd; 
And  eke  tiie  gentle  shepheard  swaynes,  which  sat 
Keeping  their  fleecy  flockes,  as  they  were  hyr'd. 
She  sweetly  heard  complaine  botli  how  and  what 
Her  Sonne  had  to  themdoen  ;  yet  she  did  smile  thereat. 

It)  But,  when  in  none  of  all  these  she  him  srot. 
She  gan  avize  "^  where  els  he  mote  him  hyde : 
At  last  she  her  bethought  that  she  had  not 
Yet  sought  the  salvage  woods  and  forests  wyde, 
In  which  full  many  lovely  nymphes  abyde  ; 
Mongst  whom  might  be  that  he  did  closely'  lye, 
Or  that  the  love  of  some  of  them  him  tyde  : 

1  Whylenre,  some  time  before.  8  Closely,  secretly. 

'  Avize,  consider. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VI.  283 

Forthy^  she  thether  cast  her  course  t'  apply, 
To  search  the  secret  haunts  of  Dianes  company. 

n  Shortly  unto  the  wastefull  woods  she  came, 
Whereas  she  found  the  goddesse  with  her  crew, 
After  late  chace  of  their  embrewed'^  game, 
Sitting  beside  a  fountaine  in  a  rew  ^  ; 
Some  of  them  washing  with  the  liquid  dew 
From  of  their  dainty  limbs  the  dusty  sweat 
And  soyle,  which  did  deforme  their  lively  hew  ; 
Othei'S  lay  shaded  from  the  scorching  heat ; 

The  rest  upon  her  person  gave  attendance  great. 

•18  She,  having  hong  upon  a  bough  on  high 
Her  bow  and  painted  quiver,  had  unlaste 
Her  silver  buskins  from  her  nimble  thigh. 
And  her  lanck  loynes  *  ungirt,  and  brests  unbraste, 
After  her  heat  the  breathing  cold  to  taste  ; 
Her  golden  lockes,  that  late  in  tresses  bright 
Embreaded  were  for  hindring  of  her  haste, 
Now  loose  about  her  shoulders  hong  undight, 
k.nd  were  with  sweet  ambrosia  all  besprinckled  light. 

9  Soone  as  she  Venus  saw  behinde  her  backe. 
She  was  asham'd  to  be  so  loose  surpriz'd  ; 
And  woxe  halfe  wroth  against  her  damzels  slacke, 
That  had  not  her  thereof  before  aviz'd, 
But  suffred  her  so  carelesly  disguiz'd 
Be  overtaken.     Soone  her  oarments  loose 


o" 


1  Forthy,  therefore.  8  Jiew,  row. 

2  E7iibreicefl,  wet  with  blood  ^  Lanck  bynes,  slender  waist 


284  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Upgath'ring,  in  her  bosome  she  compriz'd 
Well  as  she  might,  and  to  the  goddesse  rose ; 
Whiles  all  her  njmphes  did  like  a  girlond  her  enclose. 

20  Goodly  she  gan  fairs  Cytherea  greet, 

And  shortly  asked  her  what  cause  her  brought, 

Into  that  wildernesse  for  her  uiuneet, 

From  her  sweete  bowres  and  beds  with  pleasures 

fraught : 
Thatsuddein  chaung  she  straung  adventure  thought- 
To  whom  halfe  weeping  she  thus  answered  : 
That  she  her  dearest  sonne  Cupido  sought, 
Who  in  his  frowardnes  from  her  was  fled ; 
That  she  repented  sore  to  have  him  angered. 

21  Thereat  Diana  gan  to  smile,  in  scorne 

Of  her  vaine  playnt,  and  to  her  scoffing  sayd : 
"  Great  pitty  sure  that  ye  be  so  forlorne  '^ 
Of  your  gay  sonne,  that  gives  ye  so  good  ayd 
To  your  disports  ;  ill  mote  ye  bene  apayd  !  "' 
But  she  was  more  engvieved,  and  replide : 
"  Faire  sister,  ill  beseemes  it  to  upbrayd 
A  dolefuU  heart  with  so  disdainfuU  pride; 
The  like  that  mine  may  be  your  paine  another  tide.^ 

J2  "  As  you  in  woods  and  wanton  wildernesse 
Your  glory  sett,  to  chace  the  salvage  beasts, 
So  my  delight  is  all  in  ioyfulnesse, 
In  beds,  in  bowres,  in  banckets,  and  in  feasts : 


i  I.  e.  she  concealed  her  bosom.  2  Forlorne,  bereft. 

B  I.  e.  you  must  be  sadly  discontented.         4  Tide,  time. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    VI.  285 

And  ill  becomes  you,  with  your  lofty  creasts, 
To  scorne  the  ioy  that  love  is  glad  to  seeke : 
We  both  are  bownd  to  follow  heavens  beheasts, 
And  tend  our  charges  with  obeisaunce  meeke : 
Spare,  gentle  sister,  with  reproch  my  paine  to  eeke  ^ ; 

23  "  And  tell  me  if  that  ye  ray  sonne  have  heard 
To  lurke  emongst  your  nimphes  in  secret  wize, 
Or  keepe  their  cabins  :  much  I  am  affeard 
Least  he  Hke  one  of  them  himselfe  disguize, 
And  turne  his  arrowes  to  their  exercize : 

So  may  he  long  himselfe  full  easie  hide ; 
For  he  is  faire,  and  fresh  in  face  and  guize 
As  any  nimphe  ;  let  not  it  be  envide."  "^ 
So  saying,  every  nimph  full  narrowly  shee  eide. 

24  But  Phoebe  therewith  sore  was  angered, 

And  sharply  saide:  "  Goe,  Dame;  goe,  seeke  your 

boy, 
Where  you  him  lately  lefte,  in  Mars  his  bed : 
He  comes  not  here :  we  scorne  his  foolish  ioy, 
Ne  lend  we  leisure  to  his  idle  toy : 
But,  if  I  catch  him  in  this  company, 
By  Stygian  lake  I  vow,  whose  sad  annoy 
The  gods  doe  dread,  he  dearly  shall  abye  ^ : 
De  clip  his  wanton  wings  that  he  no  more  shall  flye." 

85  Whom  whenas  Venus  saw  so  sore  displeasd, 
Shee  inly  sory  was,  and  gan  relent  * 


1  Eeke,  increase.  ^  A^l/e^  i^lji^'c.  V^J  <""'"  '^^• 

2  1.  e.  do  not  grudge  him  that  praise.    •*  Edail,  soften,  qualify. 


286  THE    FAERIE    QLEENE. 

What  shee  had  said :  so  her  she  soone  appeasd 
With  sugred  words  and  gentle  blandishment, 
Which  as  a  fountaine  from  her  sweete  lips  went 
And  welled  goodly  foi*th,  that  in  short  space 
She  was  well  pleasd,  and  forth  her  darazells  sent 
Through  all  the  woods,  to  search  from  place  to 
place, 
If  any  tract  of  him  or  tidings  they  mote  trace. 

•J6  To  search  the  God  of  Love,  her  nimphes  she  sent' 
Throughout  the  wandring  forest  every  where  : 
And  after  them  herselfe  eke  with  her  went 
To  seeke  the  fugitive  both  farre  and  nere. 
So  long  they  sought,  till  they  arrived  were 
In  that  same  sliady  covert  whereas  lay 
Faire  Crysogone  in  slombry  traunce  whilere  ; 
Who  in  her  sleepe  (a  wondrous  thing  to  say) 

Unvvares  had  borne  two  babes  as  faire  as  springing 
day. 

27  Unwares  she  them  conceivd,  unwares  she  bore : 
She  bore  withouten  paine,  that  she  conceiv'd 
Withouten  pleasure  ;  ne  her  need  implore 
Lucinaes  aide.     Which  when  they  both  perceivVl. 
They  were  through  wonder  nigh  of  sence  berev'd, 
And,  gazing  each  on  other,  nought  bespake : 

At  last  they  both  agreed,  her  seeming  griev'd 
Out  of  her  heavie  swowne  not  to  awake, 
But  from  her  loving  side  the  tender  babes  to  take. 

28  Up  they  them  tooke,  each  one  a  babe  uptooke, 
And  wiih  Iheni  carried  to  be  fostered: 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    VI.  ?I87 

Dame  Phjebe  to  a  nymphe  her  babe  betooke' 
To  be  upbrought  in  perfect  maydenhed, 
And,  of  herselfe,  her  name  Belphcebe  red  ^ : 
But  Venus  hers  thence  far  away  convayd, 
To  be  upbrought  in  goodly  womanhed  ; 
And,  in  her  litle  Loves  stead  which  was  strayd. 
Her  Amoretta  cald,  to  comfort  her  disraayd.^ 

29  Shee  brought  her  to  her  ioyous  paradize 

Wher  most  she  wonnes,  when  she  on  earth  doe? 

dwell : 
So  faire  a  place  as  Nature  can  devize  : 
Whether  in  Paphos,  or  Cytheron  hill, 
Or  it  in  Gnidus  bee,  I  wote  not  well ; 
But  well  I  wote  by  triall,  that  this  same 
All  other  pleasaunt  places  doth  excell, 
And  called  is,  by  her  lost  lovers  name, 
The  Gardin  of  Adonis,  far  renowmd  by  fame. 

30  In  that  same  gardin  all  the  goodly  flowres 
Wherewith  Dame  Nature  doth  her  beautify, 
And  decks  the  girlonds  of  her  paramoures, 
Are  fetcht :  there  is  tlie  first  seminary 

Of  all  things  that  are  borne  to  live  and  dye, 
According  to  their  kynds.*     Long  worke  it  were 
Here  to  account  the  endlesse  progeny 

1  Btfookt\  committed.  8  Dtsnwyd,  dejectcil. 

2  Red,  declared.  •*  Kynds,  natures. 

XXX.  1.  —  In  that  same  gardin,  &c.]  In  the  fable  of  Venus 
md  Adoni«?.  Adonis  r'^presents  the  snn,  whlcli  quickens  the  growth 
of  all  thino;s. 


288  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Of  all  the  weeds  ^  that  bud  and  blossome  there  ; 
But  so  much  as  doth  need  must  needs  be  counted'^  here. 

31  It  sited  was  in  fruitfuU  soyle  of  old, 
And  srirt  in  with  two  walls  on  either  side, 
The  one  of  yron,  the  other"  of  bright  gold, 
That  none  might  thorough  breake,  nor  overstride : 
And  double  gates  it  had  which  opened  wide. 
By  which  both  in  and  out  men  moten  pas  ; 
Th'  one  faire  and  fresh,  the  other  old  and  dride : 
Old  Genius  the  porter  of  them  was, 

Old  Genius,  the  which  a  double  nature  has. 

)2  He  letteth  in,  he  letteth  out  to  wend 
All  that  to  come  into  the  world  desire : 
A  thousand  thousand  naked  babes  attend 
About  him  day  and  night,  which  doe  require 
That  he  with  fleshly  weeds  would  them  attire : 
Such  as  him  list,  such  as  eternall  fate 
Ordained  hath,  he  clothes  with  sinfull  mire, 
And  sendeth  forth  to  live  in  mortall  state, 

Till  they  agayn  returne  backe  by  the  hinder  gate. 

1  Weeds,  plants.  2  Counted,  recounted. 

XXXI.  8.  —  Old  Genius.'\  Warton  observes  that  the  Genius 
here  spoken  of  ( who  is  the  same  as  the  Agdistes  of  Book  II.  xii.  48) 
seems  to  be  tliat  which  is  represented  in  the  Piclure  of  Cebes. 
"  First  you  must  know  that  this  place  is  called  Life.  And  the 
great  crowd  which  is  standing  by  the  gate  are  those  who  are 
"ust  about  to  enter  into  Life.  The  Old  Man  who  stands  above,  hold- 
ing a  paper  in  one  hand  and  apparently  pointing  with  the  other,  is 
called  Dneinon  (Genius).  He  assigns  to  every  person  as  he  comes 
in  what  he  is  to  do,"  etc.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VI.  289 

83  After  that  they  againe  retourned  beene, 
They  in  that  gardin  planted  bee  agayne, 
And  grow  afresh,  as  they  had  never  seene 
Fleshly  corruption  nor  mortall  payne  : 
Some  thousand  yeares  so  doen  they  there  remayne, 
And  then  of  him  are  clad  with  other  hew, 
Or  sent  into  the  chaungefull  world  ajjavne, 
Till  thether  they  retourne  where  first  they  grew : 

So,  like  a  wheele,  arownd  they  ronne  from  old  to  new. 

34  Ne  needs  there  gardiner  to  sett  or  sow, 
To  plant  or  prune  ;  for  of  their  owne  accord 
All  things,  as  they  created  were,  doe  grow. 
And  yet  remember  well  the  mighty  word 
Which  first  was  spoken  by  th'  Almighty  Lord, 
That  bad  them  to  increase  and  multiply  : 
Ne  doe  they  need,  with  water  of  the  ford 
Or  of  the  clouds,  to  moysten  their  roots  dry  -, 

For  in  themselves  eternall  moisture  they  imply.* 

So  Infinite  shapes  of  creatures  there  are  bred, 

And  uncouth  formes,  which  none  yet  ever  knew  : 

And  every  sort  is  in  a  sondry  bed 

Sett  by  itselfe,  and  ranckt  in  comely  rew  ^ ; 

Some  fitt  for  reasonable  sowles  t'  indew  ; 

Some  made  for  beasts,  some  made  for  birds  to  weare ; 

And  all  the  fruitfuU  spawne  of  fishes  hew 

1  Imply,  wrap  up,  contain.  2  Jieiv,  row. 

XXXIII.  1.  —  After  (hat,  &c.]  In  this  and  the  following  stan- 
zas, the  Pythagorean  and  Platonic  doctrines  of  metempsychosis 
are  expounded.    H. 

VOL.  II.  19 


290  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

In  endlesse  rancks  along  enraunged  were, 
That  seemd  the  ocean  could  not  containe  them  there. 

36  Daily  they  grow,  and  daily  forth  are  sent 
Into  the  world,  it  to  replenish  more ; 
Yet  is  the  stoeke  not  lessened  nor  spent, 
But  still  remaines  in  everlasting  store 
As  it  at  first  created  was  of  yore  : 

For  in  the  wide  wombe  of  the  world  there  lyes. 
In  hatefull  darknes  and  in  deep  horrore, 
An  huge  eternal  chaos,  which  supplyes 
The  substaunces  of  Natures  fruitfull  progenyes. 

37  All  things  from  thence  doe  their  first  being  fetch. 
And  borrow  matter  whereof  they  are  made  ; 
Which,  whenas  forme  and  feature  it  does  ketch. 
Becomes  a  body,  and  doth  then  invade  * 

The  state  of  life  out  of  the  griesly  shade. 
That  substaunce  is  eterne,  and  bideth  so ; 
Ne,  when  the  life  decayes  and  forme  does  fade. 
Doth  it  consume  and  into  nothing  goe, 
But  chaunged  is  and  often  altred  to  and  froe. 

38  The  substaunce  is  not  chaungd  nor  altered, 
But  th'  only  forme  and  outward  fashion  ; 
For  every  substaunce  is  conditioned 

To  chaunge  her  hew,  and  sondry  formes  to  don. 
Meet  for  her  temper  and  complexion : 
For  formes  are  variable,  and  decay 
By  course  of  kinde^  and  by  occasion  ; 

1  Invade,  come  into.  a  Kinde,  nature. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VI.  291 

And  thai  faire  flowre  of  beautie  fades  away, 
As  doth  the  lilly  fresh  before  the  sunny  ray. 

39  Great  eniray  to  it,  and  to  all  the  rest 
That  in  the  Gardin  of  Adonis  springs, 

Is  wicked  Tyme  ;  —  who,  with  his  scyth  addrest,^ - 
Does  mow  the  flowring  hei'bes  and  goodly  things, , 
And  all  their  glory  to  the  ground  downe  flings. 
Where  they  do  wither  and  are  fowly  mard : 
He  flyes  about,  and  with  his  flaggy  winges 
Beates  downe  both  leaves  and  buds  without  regard^. 
Ne  ever  pitty  may  relent^  his  malice  hard. 

40  Yet  pitty  often  did  the  gods  relent, 

To  see  so  faire  thinges  mard  and  spoiled  quight-: 
And  their  great  mother  Venus  did  lament 
The  losse  of  her  deare  brood,  her  deare  delight: 
Her  hart  was  pierst  with  pitty  at  the  sight, 
"When  walking  through  the  gardin  them  she  f  aAV,. 
Yet  no'tes  she  find  redresse  for  such  despight : 
For  all  that  lives  is  subiect  to  that  law  : 
All  things  decay  in  time,  and  to  their  end  doe  draw. 

41  But  were  it  not  that  Time  their  troubler  is, 
All  that  in  this  delightful!  gardin  growes 
Should  happy  bee,  and  have  immortall  blis  : 
For  here  all  plenty  and  all  pleasure  flowes  ; 

And  sweete  Love  gentle  fltts  emongstthem  throwes, 
Without  fell  rancor  or  fond  gealosy : 


1  Addrest,  prepared,  furnished.  ^  NoHe,  could  not. 

3  Relent,  soften. 


292  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Franckly  each  paramor  his  leman  knowes  ; 
Each  bird  his  mate  ;  ne  any  does  envy 
Their  goodly  meriment  and  gay  feUcity. 

42  There  is  continuall  spring,  and  harvest  there 
Continuall,  both  meeting  at  one  tyme : 

For  both  the  boughes  doe  laughing  blossoms  beare, 
And  with  fresh  colours  decke  the  wanton  pryme,* 
And  eke  attonce  the  heavy  trees  they  clyme, 
Wliich  seeme  to  labour  under  their  fruites  lode  : 
The  whiles  the  ioyous  birdes  make  their  pastyrae 
Emongst  the  shady  leaves,  their  sweet  abode, 
And  their  trew  loves  without  suspition  tell  abrode. 

43  Right  in  the  middest  of  that  paradise 

There  stood  a  stately  mount,  on  whose  round  top 
A  gloomy  grove  of  mirtle  trees  did  rise, 
Whose  shady  boughes  sharp  Steele  did  never  lop, 
Nor  wicked  beastes  their  tender  buds  did  crop. 
But  like  a  girlond  compassed  the  hight. 
And  from  their  fruitfull  sydes  sweet  gum  did  drop, 
That  all  the  ground,  with  pretious  deaw  bedight,^ 
Threw  forth  most  dainty  odours  and  most  sweet  de- 
lierht. 


'O 


14  And  in  the  thickest  covert  of  that  shade 
There  was  a  pleasaunt  arber,  not  by  art 
But  of  the  trees  owne  inclination  made. 
Which  knitting  their  rancke  *  braunches  part  to  part, 


1  Pi-i/me,  spring.  8  Rancke,  luxuriant, 

2  Btil'[,'nl,  covered. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VI.  293 

With  wanton  yvie  twyne  entrayld*  athwart, 
And  eglantine  and  caprifole^  emong, 
Fashiond  above  within  their  inmost  part, 
That  nether  Phoebus  beams  could  through  them 
throng, 
Nor  Aeolus  sharp  blast  could  worke  them  any  wrong. 

45  And  all  about  grew  every  sort  of  flowre. 

To  which  sad  lovers  were  transformde  of  yore ; 
Fresh  Hyacinthus,  Phoebus  paramoure 
And  dearest  love  ; 

Foolish  Narcisse,  that  likes  the  watry  shore ; 
Sad  Amaranthus,  made  a  flowre  but  late, 
Sad  Amaranthus,  in  whose  purple  gore 
Me  seemes  I  see  Araintas  wretched  fate. 
To  whom  sweet  poets  verse    hath    given    endlesse 
date. 

46  There  wont  fayre  Venus  often  to  enioy 
Her  deare  Adonis  ioyous  company. 

And  reape  sw^eet  pleasure  of  the  wanton  boy : 
There  yet,  some  say,  in  secret  he  does  ly, 
Lapped  in  flowres  and  pretious  spycery. 
By  her  hid  from  the  world,  and  from  the  skill 
Of  Stygian  gods,  which  doe  her  love  envy  ; 
But  she  herselfe,  whenever  that  she  will, 
Possesseth  him,  and  of  his  sweetnesse  takes  her  fill : 

1  Enlrayld,  twisted.  2  Caprifole,  woodbine. 


XLV.  8.  —  Aminias  roretchedfate.]     This  is  supposed  to  allude 
to  the  untimely  death  of  Sir  Pliilip  Sidney.    H. 


294  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

47  And  sooth,  it  seeraes,  they  say  ;  for  he  may  not 
For  ever  dye,  and  ever  buried  bee 

In  baleful!  night  where  all  thinges  are  forgot ;   . 
All  be  he  subiect  to  mortalitie, 
Yet  is  eterne  in  mutabilitie, 
And  by  succession  made  perpetuall, 
Transformed  oft,  and  ehaunged  diverslie  : 
For  hira  the  father  of  all  formes  they  call ; 
Thei-fore  needs  mote  he  live,  that  living  gives  to  all. 

48  There  now  he  liveth  in  eternall  blis, 
loying  his  goddesse,  and  of  her  enioyd  ; 
Ne  feareth  he  henceforth  that  foe  of  his, 
"Which  with  his  cruell  tuske  him  deadly  cloyd  ^ : 
For  that  wilde  bore,  the  which  him  once  annoyd, 
She  firmely  hath  emprisoned  for  ay, 

(That  her  sweet  Love  his  malice  mote  avoyd,) 
In  a  strong  rocky  cave,  which  is,  they  say, 
Hewen  underneath  that  mount,  that  none  him  losen  * 
may. 

49  There  now  he  lives  in  everlasting  ioy, 
With  many  of  the  gods  in  company 

Which  thether  haunt,  and  with  the  winged  boy, 

Sporting  himselfe  in  safe  felicity : 

Who  when  he  hath  with  spoiles  and  cruelty 

1  Cloyd,  clawed.  2  Losen,  loosen. 


XLVIII.  5.  —  Fiyr  that  wilde  bore.]  Adonis  representing  the 
productive  enerpcj'  of  nature,  the  wild  boar  is  a  type  of  winter 
during  wliich  that  energy  is  suspended.     II. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VI. 


295 


RaiisackL  the  world,  and  in  the  vvofuU  harts 
Of  many  wretches  set  his  triumphes  hye, 
Thether  resortes,  and,  laying  his  sad  dartes 
Asyde,  with  faire  Adonis  playes  his  wanton  partes. 

50  And  his  trew  Love,  faire  Psyche,  with  him  playes, 
Fayre  Psyche  to  him  lately  reconcyld, 
After  long  troubles  and  unmeet  upbrayes,* 
With  which  his  mother  Venus  her  revyld, 
And  eke  himselfe  her  cruelly  exyld  : 
But  now  in  stedfast  love  and  happy  state 
She  with  him  lives,  and  hath  him  borne  a  chyld, 
Pleasure,  that  doth  both  gods  and  men  aggrate,* 

Pleasure,  the  daughter  of  Cupid  and  Psyche  late. 

61  Hether  great  Venus  brought  this  infant  fayre. 
The  yonger  daughter  of  Chrysogonee, 
And  unto  Psyche  with  great  trust  and  care 
Committed  her,  yfostered  to  bee. 
And  trained  up  in  trew  feminitee^ : 
Who  no  lesse  carefully  her  tendered 
Then  ter  owne  daughter  Pleasure,  to  whom  shee 
Made  her  companion,  and  her  lessoned 

In  all  the  lore  of  love  and  goodly  womanhead. 

5,-  In  which  when  she  to  perfect  ripenes  grew, 
Of  grace  and  beautie  noble  paragone, 
She  brought  her  forth  into  the  worldes  vew, 
To  be  th'  ensample  of  true  love  alone, 


1  Uphrayes,  upbraidings.  *  Feminitee,  womanhood. 

'  Aygrate,  please. 


296  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  lodestarre  of  all  chaste  affection 
To  all  fa}Te  ladies  that  doe  live  on  grownd. 
To  Faery  Court  she  came ;  where  many  one 
Admyrd  her  goodly  haveour,  and  fownd 
His  feeble  hart  wide  launched  with  loves  cruel  wownd. 

!)3  But  she  to  none  of  them  her  love  did  cast, 
Save  to  the  noble  knight,  Sir  Scudamore, 
To  whom  her  loving  hart  she  linked  fast 
In  faithfuU  love,  t'  abide  for  evermore  ; 
And  for  his  dearest  sake  endured  sore, 
Sore  trouble  of  an  hainous  enimy, 
Who  her  would  forced  have  to  have  forlore^ 
Her  former  love  and  stedfast  loialty, 

As  ye  may  elswhere  reade  that  ruefull  history. 

54  But  well  I  weene  ye  fii'st  desire  to  learne 
What  end  unto  that  fearefull  damozell, 
Which  fledd  so  fast  from  that  same  foster  stearne 
Whom  with  his  brethren  Timias  slew,  befell : 
That  was,  to  weet,  the  goodly  Florimell ; 
Who,  wandring  for  to  seeke  her  lover  deave, 
Her  lover  deare,  her  dearest  Marinell, 
Into  misfortune  fell,  as  ye  did  heare. 

And  from  Prince  Arthure  fled  with  winfjs  of  idle  feare. 


'o"- 


1  Forlore,  abandoned. 


LIII.  9.  —  As  ye  may  ekwkere.]     See  the  eleventh  and  twel/tli 
cantos  of  this  book. 


BOOK    IJI.       CANTO    VII.  297 


CANTO    VII. 

The  Witches  Sonne  loves  Florimell: 

She  flyes;  he  faines  to  dy. 
Satyrane  saves  the  Squyre  of  Dames 

From  Gyaunts  tyranny. 

1  Like  as  an  hynd  forth  singled  from  the  heard, 
That  hath  escaped  from  a  ravenous  beast, 
Yet  flyes  away  of  her  ovvne  feete  afeard  ; 
And  every  leafe,  that  shaketh  with  the  least 
Murraure  of  winde,  her  terror  hath  encreast : 
So  fledd  fayre  Florimell  from  her  vaine  feare. 
Long  after  she  from  perill  was  releast : 

Each  shade  she  saw,  and  each  noyse  she  did  heare, 
Did  seeme  to  be  the  same  which  she  escapt  whileare^ 

2  All  that  same  evening  she  in  flying  spent, 
And  all  that  night  her  course  continewed : 
Ne  did  she  let  dull  sleepe  once  to  relent, 
Nor  wearinesse  to  slack  her  hast,  but  fled 
Ever  alike,  as  if  her  former  dred 

Were  hard  behind,  her  ready  to  arrest  : 
And  her  white  palfrey,  having  conquered 
The  maistring  *  raines  out  of  her  weary  wrest,* 
Perforce  her  carried  where  ever  he  thought  best. 


o 


1  Maistring,  mastering,  or  controlhng.  2  Wfesl,  wnst. 


^2.9S  THE    FAERIE    QUEENR. 

3  So  long  as  breath  and  hable  puissaunce 
Did  native  coragc  unto  liim  supply. 

His  pace  he  freshly  forward  did  advaunce, 
And  carried  her  beyond  all  ieopardy ; 
But  nought  that  wanteth  rest  can  long  aby^: 
He,  having  through  incessant  traveill  spent 
His  force,  at  last  perforce  adowne  did  ly, 
Ne  foot  could  further  move.     The  Lady  gent 
Thereat  was  suddein  strook  with  great  astonishment ; 

4  And,  forst  t'  alight,  on  foot  mote  algates^  fare, 
A  traveller  unwonted  to  such  way ; 

Need  teacheth  her  this  lesson  hard  and  rare,  — 
That  Fortune  all  in  equall  launce^  doth  sway, 
And  mortall  miseries  doth  make  her  play. 
So  long  she  traveild,  till  at  length  she  came 
To  an  hilles  side,  which  did  to  her  bewray 
A  htle  valley  subiect  to^  the  same. 
All  coverd  with  thick  woodes  that  quite  it  overcame.^ 

5  Through  the  tops  of  the  high  trees  she  did  descry 
A  litle  smoke,  whose  vapour  thin  and  light 
Reeking  aloft  uprolled  to  the  sky: 

Which  chearefull  signe  did  send  unto  her  sight 
That  in  the  same  did  wonne*'  some  hvinf  wi<Tht 
Eftsoones  her  steps  she  thereunto  applyd, 
And  came  at  last,  in  weary  wretched  plight. 
Unto  the  place,  to  which  her  ho]))'  did  guyde 
To  finde  some  refuge  there,  and  rest  her  wearie  syde. 

^  Abi/,  abide.  4  Su/jtect  to,  lying  beneath. 

2  All/ales,  at  all  events.  5  Orcranne,  came  over,  clothed. 

8  Z,n«n(e,  balance.  6  11  W/(e,  dwell. 


BOOK  in.     CANTO  vii.  299 

s  Tliere  in  a  gloomy  hollow  glen  she  found 
A  little  cottage,  built  of  stickes  and  reedes 
Li  homely  wize,  and  wald  with  sods  around, 
In  which  a  Witch  did  dwell,  in  loathly  weedes 
And  wilfuU  want,  all  carelesse  of  her  needes ; 
So  choosing  solitarie  to  abide, 
Far  from  all  neighbours,  that  her  divelish  deedes 
And  hellish  arts  from  people  she  might  hide, 

And  hurt  far  off  unknowne  whomever  she  envide. 

7  The  Damzell  there  arriving  entred  in ; 
Where  sitting  on  the  flore  the  Hag  she  found, 
Busie  (as  seem'd)  about  some  wicked  gin*: 
Who,  soone  as  she  beheld  that  suddein  stound,^ 
Lightly  upstarted  from  the  dustie  ground. 
And  with  fell  looke  and  hollow  deadly  gaze 
Stared  on  her  awhile,  as  one  astound, 

Ne  had  one  word  to  speake  for  great  amaze ; 
But  shewd  by  outward  signes  that  dread  her  sence 
did  daze.^ 

8  At  last,  turning  her  feare  to  foolish  wrath, 
She  askt,  what  devill  had  her  thether  brought, 
And  who  she  was,  and  what  unwonted  path 
Had  guided  her,  unwelcomed,  unsought. 

To  which  the  Damzell,  full  of  doubtfull  thought. 
Her  mildly  answer'd  :  "  Beldame,*  be  not  wroth 
With  silly  ^  virgin,  by  adventure  brought 


1  Gin,  contrivance.  *  Beldame,  good  mother. 

3  Stound,  (here)  surprise.  6  Sil'.i),  liarniless. 

8  Dme,  il;i//.le,  confound. 


300  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

Unto  your  dwelling,  ignorant  and  loth, 
That  crave  but  rowme  to  rest  while  tempest overblo'th. 

9  Witli  that,  adowne  out  of  her  christall  eyne 
Few  trickling  teares  she  softly  forth  let  fall, 
Tliat  like  to  *  orient  perles  did  purely  shyne 
Upon  her  snowy  cheeke ;  and  therewithal! 
Slie  sighed  soft,  that  none  so  bestiall 
Nor  salvage  hart  but  ruth  of  her  sad  plight 
Would  make  to  melt,  or  pitteously  appall ; 
And  that  vile  Hag,  all  were  her  whole  delight 
In  raischiefe,  was  much  moved  at  so  pitteous  sight ; 

10  And  gan  recomfort  her,  in  her  rude  wyse, 
"With  woinanisli  compassion  of  her  plaint, 
Wiping  tlie  teares  from  her  suffused  eyes, 
And  bidding  her  sit  downe  to  rest  her  faint 
And  vvearie  limbs  awhile:  she  nothing  quaint^ 
Nor  'sdeignfull  of  so  homely  fashion, 

Sith  brought  she  was  now  to  so  hard  constraint, 
Sate  downe  upon  the  dusty  ground  anon ; 
As  glad  of  that  small  rest,  as  bird  of  tempest  gon. 

11  Tho  gan  she  gather  up  her  garments  rent, 
And  her  loose  lockes  to  dight  in  order  dew 
With  golden  wreath  and  gorgeous  ornament; 
Whom  such  whenas  the  wicked  Hag  did  vew, 
She  was  astonisht  at  her  heavenly  hew. 

And  doubted  her  to  deeme  an  earthly  wight, 

1  Quaint,  nice. 
*  All  the  old  editions  have  two. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VII.  301 

But  or  some  goddesse,  or  of  Dianes  crew, 
And  thought  her  to  adore  with  humble  spright: 
T'  adore  thing  so  divine  as  beauty  were  but  right. 

12  This  wicked  woman  had  a  wicked  sonne, 
The  comfort  of  her  age  and  weary  dayes, 
A  laesy  loord,^  for  nothing  good  to  donne,^ 
But  stretched  forth  in  ydlenesse  alwayes, 
Ne  ever  cast  his  mind  to  covet  prayse, 

Or  ply  himselfe  to  any  honest  trade ; 
But  all  the  day  before  the  sunny  rayes 
He  us'd  to  slug,^  or  sleepe  in  slothful!  shade : 
Such  laesinesse  both  lewd  ^ and  poore  attonce  him  made. 

13  He,  comming  home  at  undertime,  there  found 
The  fayrest  creature  that  he  e\er  saw 
Sitting  beside  his  mother  on  the  ground ; 
The  sight  whereof  did  greatly  him  adaw,^ 
And  his  base  thought  with  terrour  and  with  aw 
So  inly  smot,  that,  as  one  which  hath  gaz'd 

On  the  bright  sunne  unwares,  doth  soone  withdraw 
His  feeble  eyne  with  too  much  brightnes  daz'd. 
So  stared  he  on  her,  and  stood  long  while  amaz'd. 

i4  Softly  at  last  he  gan  his  mother  aske. 

What  mister  wight"  that  was,  and  whence  deriv'd, 

1  Lom-d,  lubber.  *  Leiod,  ignorant. 

2  Donne,  do.  ^  Adaiu,  stupefy. 

3  Shif/,  drone.  *  Mister  wiyht,  kind  of  creature. 


XIIl.  1.  —  Undertime.]  Undern  is  pjroperly  nine  o'clock  in  the 
moniing,  undertime  the  three  hours  from  nine  to  twelve  Flori 
mell  liad  been  riding  all  niyld  (stanza  2).     C. 


302  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  in  so  straunge  disguizement  there  did  maske, 
And  by  what  accident  she  there  arriv'd  ? 
But  she,  as  one  nigh  of  her  wits  depriv'd, 
With  nought  but  ghastly  lookes  him  answered ; 
Like  to  a  ghost,  that  lately  is  reviv'd 
From  Stvsrian  shores  where  late  it  wandert-d : 
So  both  at  her,  and  each  at  other  wondered. 

15  But  the  fayre  Virgin  was  so  meeke  and  myld, 
That  she  to  them  vouchsafed  to  embace  ^ 
Her  goodly  port,  and  lb  their  senses  vyld^ 
Her  gentle  speach  applyde,  that  in  short  space 
She  grew  familiare  in  that  desert  place. 

During  which  time  the  Chorle,  through  her  so  kind 
And  courteise  use,  conceiv'd  affection  bace, 
And  cast  to  love  her  in  his  brutish  mind ; 
No  love,  but  brutish  lust,  that  was  so  beastly  tind.^ 

16  Closely*  the  wicked  flame  his  bow^els  brent,'' 
And  shortly  grew  into  outrageous  fire ; 

Yet  had  he  not  the  hart,  nor  hardiment, 
As  unto  her  to  utter  his  desire ; 
His  caytive  thought  durst  not  so  high  aspire: 
But  witli  soft  sighes  and  lovely  semblaunces 
He  ween'd  that  his  affection  entire 
She  should  aread";  many  resemblaunces 
To  her  he  made,  and  many  kinde  remembraunces. 

1  Embnce,  bring  down.  4  Closely,  secretly. 

2  FyW,  vile,  low.  5  Brent,  burned. 

»  Tind,  kindled.  6  Areaxl,  perceive. 


XVI.  8.  —  Resemhlnunces.]     Imitations,  exhibitions  ofaflTection; 
wjuivalcnt  to  "  loctly  (love-like)  stviblaumes,'"  shows  of  love.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VII.  303 

17  Oft  from  the  forrest  wildings  ^  he  did  bring, 
Whose  sides  empurpled  were  with  smyling  red ; 
And  oft  young  birds,  which  he  had  taught  to  dmg 
His  maistresse  praises  sweetly  caroled : 
Girlonds  of  flowres  sometimes  for  her  faire  hed 
He  fine  would  dight ;  sometimes  the  squirrel!  wild 
He  brought  to  her  in  bands,  as  conquered 

To  be  her  thrall,  his  fellow-servant  vild : 
All  which  she  of  him  tooke  with  countenance  meeke 
and  mild. 

18  But,  past  a  while,  when  she  fit  season  saw 
To  leave  that  desert  mansion,  she  cast^ 

In  secret  wize  herselfe  thence  to  withdraw, 
For  feare  of  mischiefe,  which  she  did  forecast 
Might  [be]  by  the  witch  or  by  her  sonne  compast : 
Her  wearie  palfrey  closely,  as  she  might, 
Now  well  recovered  after  long  repast, 
Li  his  proud  furnitures  she  freshly  dight, 
His  late  miswandred  wayes  now  to  remeasure  right ; 

19  And  earely,  ere  the  dawning  day  appeard, 
She  forth  issewed,  and  on  her  iourney  went ; 
She  went  in  perill,  of  each  noyse  affeard 
And  of  each  shade  that  did  itselfe  present ; 
For  still  she  feared  to  be  overhent^ 

Of  that  vile  hag,  or  her  uncivile  sonne ; 
Who  when,  too  late  awaking,  well  they  kent* 
That  their  fayre  guest  was  gone,  they  both  begonne 
To  make  exceeding  mone  as  they  had  beeue  undonne. 

1  Wildings,  wild  apples.  ^  Overheni,  overtaken. 

2  Cast,  considered  how.  •'  Kent,  knew. 


304  THE    FA  ERIK    QUEENE. 

20  But  that  lewd  lover  did  the  most  lament 
B^or  her  depart,  that  ever  man  did  heare  ; 
He  knockt  his  brest  with  desperate  intent, 

And  scratcht  his  face,  and  with  his  teeth  did  teare 
His  rugged  flesh,  and  rent  his  ragged  heare  : 
That  his  sad  mother,  seeing  his  sore  plight, 
Was  greatly  woe-begon,  and  gan  to  feare 
liCast  his  f'raile  senses  were  emperisht  quight, 
And  love  to  frenzy  turnd ;  sith  love  is  franticke  hight. 

21  All  wayes  shee  sought  hira  to  restore  to  plight,* 
With  herbs,  with  charms,  with  counsel,  and  with 

teare s ; 
But  tears,  nor  charms,  nor  herbs,  norcounsell,  might 
Asswage  the  fury  which  his  entrails  teares  : 
So  strong  is  passion  that  no  reason  heares  ! 
Tho,  when  all  other  helpes  she  saw  to  faile, 
She  turnd  herselfe  backe  to  her  wicked  leares  ^ . 
And  by  her  divelish  arts  thought  to  prevaile 
To  bring  her  backe  againe,  or  worke  her  finall  bale. 

J2  Eftesoones  out  of  her  hidden  cave  she  cald 

An  hideous  beast  of  hori-ible  aspect, 

That  could  the  stoutest  corage  have  appald ; 

Monstrous,  mishapt,^  and  all  his  backe  was  spect 

With  thousand  spots  of  colours  queint  elect*; 

Thereto  so  swifte  that  it  all  beasts  did  pas : 

Lik(!  never  yet  did  living  eie  detect ; 

But  Hkest  it  to  an  Hyena  was. 
That  feeds  on  wemens  flesh,  as  others  feede  on  gras. 

1  I.  e.  to  his  usual  state.  s  Mishapt,  misshaped. 

2  Leares,  lessons,  lore.  ■»  Queinl  elect,  oddly  chosen. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    VII.  305 

23  It  forth  she  calcl,  and  gave  it  streight  in  charge 
Through  thicke  and  thin  her  to  poursew  apace, 
Ne  once  to  stay  to  rest,  or  breath  at  large, 
Till  her  hee  had  attaind  and  brought  in  place,^ 
Or  quite  devourd  her  beauties  scornefull  grace. 
The  monster,  swifte  as  word  that  from  her  went, 
Went  forth  in  haste,  and  did  her  footing  trace 
So  sure  and  swiftly,  through  his  perfect  sent 

And  passing  speede,  that  shortly  he  her  overhent. 

24  Whom  when  the  fearefull  Damzell  nigh  espide, 
No  need  to  bid  her  fast  away  to  flie ; 

That  ugly  shape  so  sore  her  terrifide. 
That  it  she  shund  no  lesse  then  dread  to  die  ; 
And  her  flitt  palfrey  did  so  well  apply 
His  nimble  feet  to  her  conceived  feare, 
That  whilest  his  breath  did  strength  to  him  supply. 
From  perill  free  he  her  away  did  beare ; 
But,  when  his  force  gan  faile,  his  pace  gan  wex  areare.'^ 

25  Which  whenas  she  perceiv'd,  she  was  dismayd 
At  that  same  last  extremity  ful  sore. 

And  of  her  safety  greatly  grew  afrayd  : 
And  now  she  gan  approch  to  the  sea  shore, 
As  it  befell,  that  she  could  flie  no  more. 
But  yield  herselfe  to  spoile  of  greedinesse  : 
Lightly  she  leaped,  as  a  wight  forlore. 
From  her  dull  horse,  in  desperate  distresse,  • 
And  to  her  feet  betooke  her  doubtfull  sickernesse.' 


1  I.  e.  to  that  place.  *  I.  e.  committed  her  safety- 

2  I.  e.  fell  behind,  slackened, 
vol..  II  20 


306  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

26  Not  halfe  SO  fast  the  wicked  Myrrha  fled 
From  dread  of  her  revenging  fathers  hond, 
Nor  iialfe  so  fast  to  save  her  mavdenhed 
Fled  fearfull  Dapline  on  th'  ^gajan  strond, 
As  Florimell  fled  from  that  monster  yond,* 
To  reach  the  sea  ere  she  of  him  were  i-aught : 
For  in  the  sea  to  drowne  herselfe  she  fond,^ 
Rather  then  of  the  tyrant  to  be  caught : 

Thereto  fear  gave  her  wings,  and  need  her  corage 
taught. 

27  It  fortuned,  (High  God  did  so  ordaine,) 
As  shee  arrived  on  the  roring  shore, 

In  minde  to  leape  into  the  mighty  maine, 
A  httle  bote  lay  hoving^  her  before, 
In  which  there  slept  a  fisher  old  and  pore, 
The  whiles  his  nets  were  drying  on  the  sand : 
Into  the  same  shee  lept,  and  with  the  ore 
Did  thrust  the  shallop  from  the  floting  strand : 
So  safety  fownd  at  sea,  which  she  fownd  not  at  land. 

28  The  monster,  ready  on  the  pray  to  sease, 
Was  of  his  forward*  hope  deceived  quight, 
Ne  durst  assay  to  wade  the  perlous  seas, 
But,  greedily  long  gaping  at  the  sight, 

At  last  in  vaine  was  forst  to  turne  his  flight. 
And  tell  the  idle  tidings  to  his  dame  : 
Yet,  to  avenge  his  divelishe  despight, 

1  Yond,  furious,  outrageous  {oiUr4). 

2  Fond,  projected. 

3  IJuvlnr/,  Iiovci-ing,  resting  on  the  water. 
*  I.  e.  on  the  pohit  of  being  gratified. 


BOOK    IH.       CANTO    VII.  307 

He  sett  upon  her  palfrey  tired  lame, 
And  slew  him  cruelly  ere  any  reskew  came : 

29  And,  after  having  hira  embowelled 

To  fill  his  hellish  gorge,  it  chaunst  a  Knight 
To  passe  that  way,  as  forth  he  travelled : 
Yt  was  a  goodly  swaine,  and  of  great  might. 
As  ever  man  that  bloody  field  did  fight ; 
But  in  vain  sheows,  that  wont  yong  knights  bewiieli^. 
And  courtly  services,  tooke  no  deliglit, 
But  rather  ioyd  to  bee  than  seemen  sich  ^ ; 
For  both  to  be  and  seerae  to  him  was  labor  lich-'' 

30  It  was  to  weete  the  good  Sir  Satyrane 

That  raungd  abrode  to  seeke  adventures  wilde, 
As  was  his  wont,  in  forest  and  in  plaine : 
He  was  all  armd  in  rugged  Steele  unfilde,® 
As  in  the  smoky  forge  it  was  compilde,^ 
And  in  his  scutchin^  bore  a  satyres  hedd: 
He  comming  present,  where  the  monster  vilde 
Upon  that  milke-white  palfrey es  carcas  fedd, 
Unto  his  reskew  ran,  and  greedily  him  spedd.^ 

31  There  well  perceivd  he  that  it  w^as  the  horse 
Whereon  faire  Florimell  was  wont  to  I'ide, 
That  of  that  feend  was  rent  without  remorse: 

1  Sich,  such.  ■*  Compilde,  pnt  together. 

2  LicJi,  Hkc.  ^  Scutchin,  shield. 

8  Unfilde,  unpolished.  6  I.  e.  hastened  eagerly. 


XXX.  1.  —  Sir  Satyrane.]  Sir  Satyrane  reappears  from  the 
sixth  canto  of  the  first  book,  where  we  left  him  fighting  with 
Sanslov.    H. 


308  TPIE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Much  fearod  he  least  ought  did  ill  betide 
To  that  faire  maide,  the  flowre  of  vvemens  pride ; 
For  her  he  dearely  loved,  and  in  all 
His  famous  conquests  highly  magnifide : 
Besides,  her  golden  girdle,  which  did  fall 
From  her  in  flight,  he  fownd,  that  did  him  sore  apall. 

32  Full  of  sad  feare  and  doubtfull  agony, 
Fiercely  he  flew  upon  that  wicked  feend ; 
And  with  huge  strokes  and  cruell  battery 
Hun  forst  to  leave  his  pray,  for  to  attend 
Himselfe  from  deadly  daunger  to  defend : 
Full  many  wounds  in  his  corrupted  flesh 
He  did  engrave,*  and  muchell^  blood  did  spend. 
Yet  mis-ht  not  doe  him  die ;  but  aie  more  fresh 

And  fierce  he  still  appeard,  the  more  he  did  him  thresh. 

83  He  wist  not  how  him  to  despoile  of  life, 
Ne  how  to  win  the  wished  victory, 
Sith  him  he  saw  still  stronger  grow  through  strife, 
And  himselfe  weaker  through  infirmity  : 
Greatly  he  grew  enrag'd,  and  furiously 
Hurling  his  sword  away,  he  lightly  lept 
Upon  the  beast,  that  with  great  cruelty 
Rored  and  raged  to  be  underkept ; 

Yet  he  perforce  him  held,  and  strokes  upon  him  hept. 

34  As  he  that  strives  to  stop  a  suddein  flood, 
And  in  strong  bancks  his  violence  enclose, 

1  Engrave^  cut  into.  2  Muchell,  much. 

XXXIV.  2.  —  The  rhyme  requires  some  such  word  as  c<m- 
simiiie. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VII.  309 

Forceth  it  swell  above  his  wonted  mood, 
Aiid  largely  overflow  the  fruitfull  plaine, 
That  all  the  countrey  seemes  to  be  a  maine,^ 
And  the  rich  furrowes  flote,  all  quite  fordonne^: 
The  wofuU  husbandman  doth  lewd  complaine 
To  see  his  whole  yeares  labor  lost  so  soone, 
For  which  to  God  he  made  so  many  an  idle  boone^: 

85  So  him  he  held,  and  did  through  might  amate*: 
So  long  he  held  him,  and  him  bett  so  long, 
That  at  the  last  his  fiercenes  gan  abate, 

And  meekely  stoup  unto  the  victor  strong : 
Who,  to  avenge  the  implacable  wrong 
Wliich  he  supposed  donne  to  Florimell, 
Sought  by  all  meanes  his  dolor ^  to  prolong, 
Sith  dint  of  Steele  his  carcas  could  not  quell, 
His  maker  with  her  charmes  had  framed  him  so  well. 

86  The  golden  ribband,  which  that  Virgin  wore 
About  her  sclender  waste,  he  tooke  in  hand. 
And  with  it  bownd  the  beast  that  lowd  did  rore 
For  great  despight  of  that  unwonted  band, 
Yet  dared  not  his  victor  to  withstand, 

•But  trembled  like  a  lambe  fled  from  the  pray*; 
And  all  the  way  him  foUowd  on  the  strand. 
As  he  had  long  bene  learned  to  obay ; 
Yet  never  learned  he  such  service  till  that  day. 

37  Thus  as  he  led  the  beast  along  the  way, 
He  spide  far  of  a  mighty  Giauntesse 

I  Maine,  sea.  *  Amnte,  subdue. 

'i  Fordonne,  ruined.  ^  Dolor,  pain. 

8  Boone,  prayer.  ^  I-  e.  of  some  wild  beast. 


310  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Fast  flying,  on  a  courser  dapled  gray, 
From  a  bold  Knight  that  with  great  hardinesse 
Her  hard  pursewd,  and  sought  for  to  suppresse : 
She  bore  before  her  lap  a  dolefull  Squire, 
Lying  athwart  her  horse  in  great  distresse, 
Fast  bounden  hand  and  foote  with  cords  of  wire, 
Wliome  she  did  raeane  to  make  the  thrall  of  her  desire. 

38  Which  whenas  Satyrane  beheld,  in  haste 
He  lefte  his  captive  beast  at  liberty, 

And  crost  the  nearest  way,  by  which  he  cast* 
Her  to  encounter  ere  she  passed  by ; 
But  she  the  way  shund  nathemore  forthy,^ 
But  forward  gallopt  fast ;  which  when  he  spyde, 
His  mighty  speare  he  couched  warily, 
And  at  her  ran  ;  she,  having  him  descryde, 
Herselfe  to  fight  addrest,  and  threw  her  lode  aside. 

39  Like  as  a  goshauke,  that  in  foote  doth  beare 
A  trembling  culver,'  having  spide  on  hight 
An  eagle  that  with  plumy  wings  doth  sheare 
The  subtile  ayre  stouping  with  all  his  might. 
The  quarrey  throwes  to  ground  with  fell  despight. 
And  to  the  batteill  doth  herselfe  prepare : 

So  ran  the  Geauntesse  unto  the  fight : 
Her  fyrie  eyes  with  furious  sparkes  did  stare. 
And  with  blasphemous  bannes*  High  God  in  peeces 
tare. 


>■  Gist,  purposed.  8  Cuher,  dove. 

2  Forthy,  therefore.  4  Bannes,  curses. 


XXXIX.  9.  — That  is,  she  swore  by  all  the  parts  of  God's  body, 
\  kind  of  blasphemy  once  much  in  vntrue.  of  which  some  relics  are 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VII.  311 

40  She  caught  in  hand  an  huge  great  yron  mace, 
Wherewith  she  many  had  of  Ufe  depriv'd ; 
But,  ere  the  stroke  could  seize  his  aymed  place, 
His  speare  amids  her  sun-brode  shield  arriv'd ; 
Yet  nathemore  the  Steele  asonder  riv'd, 

All  were  the  beame  in  bignes  like  a  mast, 
Ne  her  out  of  the  stedfast  sadle  driv'd ; 
But,  glauncing  on  the  tempred  metall,  brast^ 
In  thousand  shivers,  and  so  forth  beside  her  past. 

41  Her  steed  did  stagger  with  that  puissaunt  strooke; 
But  she  no  more  was  moved  with  that  might 
Then  it  had  lighted  on  an  aged  oke, 

Or  on  the  marble  pillour  that  is  pight- 
Upon  the  top  of  Mount  Olympus  hight, 
For  the  brave  youthly  champions  to  assay 
"With  burning  charet  wheeles  it  nigh  to  smite ; 
But  who  that  smites  it  mars  his  ioyous  play, 
And  is  the  spectacle  of  ruinous  decay.' 


42  Yet,  therewith  sore  enrag'd,  with  sterne  regard 
Her  dreadfuU  weapon  she  to  him  addrest, 
Which  on  his  helmet  martelled*  so  hard 


1  Brast,  burst.  3  Decay,  destruction. 

2  Pifjht,  placed.  ■*  Martelkd,  bammered. 


still  preserved,  such  as  'zounds,  'sblood,  &c.,  not  to  mention  Bob 
Acres's  "  genteel "  method,  which,  as  he  truly  says,  he  did  not 
invent.     C. 

XLI.  4,  5. —These  lines  may  have  been  transposed  by  the 
printers.  But  Spenser's  classical  learning  is  not  very  accurate, 
»nd  the  writers  of  his  time  often  represent  the  Olympic  games  as 
taking  place  on  Slount  Olympus.     C. 


312  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  made  him  low  incline  his  lofty  ci'est, 
And  bowd  his  battred  visour  to  his  brest : 
Wherewith  he  was  so  stund  that  he  n'ote  ^  ryde, 
But  reeled  to  and  fro  from  east  to  west : 
Which  when  his  cruell  enimy  espyde, 
She  lightly  unto  him  adioyned  syde  to  syde ; 

43  And,  on  his  collar  laying  puissaunt  hand, 
Out  of  his  wavering  seat  liim  pluckt  perforse, 
Perforse  him  pluckt,  unable  to  withstand 

Or  helpe  himselfe ;  and  laying  thwart  her  horse, 
In  loathly  wise  like  to  a  carrion  corse, 
She  bore  him  fast  away :  which  when  the  knight 
That  her  pursewed  saw,  with  great  remorse^ 
He  nere  was  touched  in  his  noble  spright. 
And  gan  encrease  his  speed  as  she  encreast  her  flight 

44  Whom  whenas  nigh  approcliing  she  espyde, 
She  threw  away  her  burden  angrily ; 

For  she  hst  not  the  batteill  to  abide. 
But  made  herselfe  more  light  away  to  fly : 
Yet  her  the  hardy  Knight  pursewd  so  nye 
That  almost  in  the  backe  he  oft  her  strake : 
But  still,  when  him  at  hand  she  d-id  espy, 
She  turnd,  and  semblaunce  of  faire  fight  did  make  ; 
But,  when  he  stayd,  to  flight  againe  she  did  her  take 

46  By  this  the  good  Sir  Satyrane  gan  wake 

Out  of  his  dreame  that  did  him  long  entraunce, 
And,  seeing  none  in  place,  he  gan  to  make 
Exceeding  monc,  and  curst  that  cruell  chainice 

1  N'ole,  could  not.  2  Remorse,  pity. 


I500K    III.       CANTO    VII. 


313 


Wliicli  reft  from  him  so  fiiire  a  chevismiiice  * : 
At  length  he  sp}(le  whereas  that  wofuU  Squyre, 
Whom  he  had  reskewed  from  captivaunce 
Of  his  strong  foe,  lay  tombled  in  the  myre, 
Unable  to  arise,  or  foot  or  hand  to  styre.^ 

46  To  whom  approching,  w^ell  he  mote  perceive 
In  that  fowle  plight  a  comely  personage 
And  lovely  fece,  made  fit  for  to  deceive 
Fraile  ladies  hart  with  loves  consuming  rage, 
Now  in  the  blossome  of  his  freshest  age : 
He  reard  him  up,  and  loosd  his  yron  bands, 
And  after  gan  inquire  his  parentage, 
And  how  he  fell  into  the  gyaunts  hands, 

And  who  that  was  which  chaced  her  along  the  lands. 

4-  Then  trembling  yet  through  feare  the  Squire  be- 
spake  : 
"  That  geauntesse  Argante  is  behight,^ 
A  daughter  of  the  Titans  which  did  make 
Warre  against  heven,  and  heaped  hils  on  higlit 
To  scale  the  skyes  and  put  love  from  his  right: 
Her  syre  Typhoeus  was  ;  who,  mad  through  merth, 
And  dronke  with  blood  of  men  slaine  by  his  might, 
Through  incest  her  of  his  owne  mother  Earth 

Whylome  begot,  being  but  halfe  twin  of  that  berth : 

48  "  For  at  that  berth  another  babe  she  bore ; 
To  wef  r,  the  mightie  Ollyphant,  that  wrought 
Great  wreake*  to  many  errant  knights  of  yore, 

'  Chevisaunce,  achievement.  8  BeliifjJit,  called. 

'  Styrc,  stir.  *  U^reake,  vengeance,  spite. 


314  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  many  liatli  to  foule  confusion  brought. 
These  twinnes,  men  say,  (a  thing  far  passing  tliought,) 
Whiles  in  their  mothers  wombe  enclosd  they  were, 
Ere  they  into  the  hghtsom  world  were  bi'ought, 
In  fleshly  lust  were  mingled  both  yfere,^ 
And  in  that  monstrous  wise  did  to  the  world  appere. 

49  "  So  liv'd  they  ever  after  in  like  sin, 
Gainst  natures  law  and  good  behaveoure : 
But  greatest  shame  was  to  that  maiden  twin ; 
Who,  not  content  so  fowly  to  devoure 

Her  native  flesh  and  staine  her  brothers  bowre,^ 
Did  wallow  in  all  other  fleshly  myre, 
And  suffred  beastes  her  body  to  deflowre, 
So  whot  she  burned  in  that  lustfull  fyre : 
Yet  all  that  might  not  slake  her  sensuall  desyre : 

50  "  But  over  all  the  countrie  she  did  raunge, 

To  seeke  young  men  to  quench  her  flaming  thrust,'" 
And  feed  her  fancy  with  delightfuU  chaunge : 
Whom  so  she  fittest  findes  to  serve  her  lust, 
Through  her  maine  strength,  in  which  she  mos/ 

doth  trust, 
She  with  her  bringes  into  a  secret  ile, 
Where  in  eternall  bondage  dye  he  must, 
Or  be  the  vassall  of  her  pleasures  vile, 
And  in  all  shamefuU  sort  himselfe  with  her  defile. 

.,1  "Me  secly^  wretch  she  so  at  vauntage  caught, 
After  she  long  in  waite  for  me  did  lye, 

1  y/ere,  tofjcthcr.  8  Thrust,  thirst. 

2  liuivre,  cliiiiiiber.  4  Setlij,  simple. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VII.  315 

And  meant  unto  her  prison  to  have  brought, 
Her  lothsom  pleasure  there  to  satisfye ; 
That  thousand  deathes  me  lever  ^  were  to  dye 
Then  breake  the  vow  that  to  faire  Columbell 
I  plighted  have,  and  yet  keepe  stedfastly : 
As  for  my  name,  it  mistreth  ^  not  to  tell ; 
Call  me  the  Squyre  of  Dames ;   that  me  beseemeth 
well. 

62  "  But  that  bold  knight,  whom  ye  pursuing  saw 
That  geauntesse,  is  not  such  as  she  seerad, 
But  a  faire  virgin  that  in  martiall  law 
And  deedes  of  armes  above  all  dames  is  deemd, 
And  above  many  knightes  is  eke  esteemd 
For  her  great  worth ;  she  Palladine  is  bight : 
She  you  from  death,  you  me  from  dread,  redeerad : 
Ne  any  may  that  monster  match  in  fight. 

But  she,  or  such  as  she,  that  is  so  chaste  a  wight." 

53  "  Her  Avell  beseemes  that  quest,"  quoth  Satyrane : 
"  But  read,^  thou  Squyre  of  Dames,  what  vow  is 

this. 
Which  thou  upon  thyselfe  hast  lately  ta'ne  ?  " 
"  That  shall  I  you  recount,"  quoth  he,  "  y wis,* 
So  be  ye  pleasd  to  pardon  all  amis. 
That  gentle  lady  whom  I  love  and  serve. 


1  Me  lever,  I  would  rather.  8  Read,  explain. 

2  Mislreth,  signifieth.  ^  Yu>h,  certainly. 

LIII.  4.  —  "  That  shall  I  you  recount,"  quoth  he.]  The  tale  of  the 
Squire  of  Dames  is  a  copy  of  the  Host's  tale  in  Ariosto,  Canto 
XXVIII.  — Wahton. 


31 G  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

After  long  suit  and-  wearie  servicis, 
Did  aske  me  how  I  could  her  love  deserve, 
And  how  she  might  be  sure  that  I  would  never  swerve. 

54  "  I,  glad  by  any  meanes  her  grace  to  gaine, 
Badd  her  commaund  my  life  to  save  or  spill  ^: 
P^ftsoones  she  badd  me  with  incessaunt  paine 
To  wander  through  the  world  abroad  at  will, 
And  every  where,  where  with  my  power  or  skill 
I  might  doe  service  unto  gentle  dames. 
That  I  the  same  should  faithfully  fulfill ; 
And  at  the  twelve  monethes  end  should  bring  their 
names 

And  pledges,  as  the  spoiles  of  my  victorious  games. 

56  "  So  well  I  to  faire  ladies  service  did, 

And  found  such  favour  in  their  loving  hartes. 
That,  ere  the  yeare  his  course  had  compassid, 
Thre  hundred  pledges  for  my  good  desartes, 
And  thrice  three  hundred   thanks    for  my   good 

partes, 
I  with  me  brought  and  did  to  her  present : 
Which  when  she  saw,  more  bent  to  eke^  my  smartes 
Then  to  reward  my  trusty  true  intent. 

She  gan  for  me  devise  a  grievous  punishment ; 

»6  "  To  weet,  that  I  my  traveill  should  resume, 
And  with  like  labour  walke  the  world  arownd, 
Ne  ever  to  her  presence  should  presume. 
Till  I  so  many  other  dames  had  fownd, 

1  Spill,  spoil,  destroy.  2  £jce,  increase. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VII.  317 

The  which,  for  all  the  suit  I  could  propownd, 
Would  me  refuse  their  pledges  to  afford. 
But  did  abide  for  ever  chaste  and  sownd." 
«Ah!    gentle    Squyre,"    quoth    he,    "tell   at   one 
word, 
How  many  fowndst  thou  such  to  put  in  thy  record  ?  " 

57  "  Indeed,  Sir  Knight,"  said  he,  "  one  word  may  tell 
All  that  I  ever  fownd  so  wisely  stayd^; 
For  onely  three  they  were,  disposd  so  well. 
And  yet  three  yeares  I  now  abrode  have  strayd. 
To   fynd   them   out."      "Mote    I,"  then  laughing 

sayd 
The  Knight,   "inquire  of  thee  what  were  those 

three, 
The  wliich  thy  proffred  curtesie  denayd^? 
Or  ill  they  seemed  sure  avizd  to  bee. 

Or  brutislily  brought  up,  that  nev'r  did  fashions  see. 

68  "  Tlie  first  which  then  refused  me,"  said  hee, 
"  Certes  was  but  a  common  courtisane  ; 
Yet  flat  refusd  to  have  adoe  with  mee, 
Because  I  could  not  give  her  many  a  iane." 
(Thereat  full  hartely  laughed  Satyrane.) 
"  The  second  was  an  holy  nunne  to  chose, 
Which  would  not  let  me  be  her  chappellane, 
Because  she  knew,  she  sayd,  I  would  disclose 

Her  counsell,  if  she  should  her  trust  in  me  repose. 

1  Stayd,  staid,  or  discreet.  2  Denayd,  denied. 


LVIII.   4.  —  Many  a  iane.]     llucli  money.  —  A  Jane  was  a 
Bmall  coin  of  Genoa  (Janua). 


318  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

89  "  Tlie  third  a  damzell  was  of  low  degree, 

Whom  I  in  countrey  cottage  fownd  by  chaunce : 
Full  litle  weened  I  that  chastitee 
Had  lodging  in  so  meane  a  maintenaunce  ^ ; 
Yet  was  she  fayre,  and  in  her  countenaunce 
Dwelt  simple  truth  in  seemely  fashion : 
Long  thus  I  woo'd  her  with  due  observaunce, 
In  hope  unto  my  pleasure  to  have  won ; 

But  was  as  far  at  last,  as  when  I  first  begon. 

60  "  Safe  her,  I  never  any  woman  found 
That  chastity  did  for  itselfe  embrace. 

But  were  for  other  causes  firme  and  sound ; 
Either  for  want  of  handsome  time  and  place, 
Or  else  for  feare  of  shame  and  fowle  disgrace. 
Thus  am  I  hopelesse  ever  to  attaine 
My  Ladies  love,  in  such  a  desperate  case, 
But  all  my  dayes  am  like  to  waste  in  vaine. 
Seeking  to  match  the  chaste  with  th'  unchaste  ladies 
traine." 

61  "  Perdy,"  sayd  Satyrane,  "  thou  Squyre  of  Dames, 
Great  labour  fondly  ^  hast  thou  hent  ^  in  hand. 

To  get  small  thankes,  and  therewith  many  blames ; 
That  may  emongst  Alcides  labours  stand."  — 


1  Maintenaunce,  condition.  8  ffent,  taken. 

2  Fondly,  foolishly. 

LX.  1. —  Safe  her,  &c.]  Let  it  be  remembered  that  these 
sentiments  are  put  into  the  mouth  of  a  light  and  vain  profli- 
gate. No  poet  ever  had  a  truer  respect  for  woman  than  Spen- 
ser.   H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VII.  313 

Thence  backe  returning  to  the  former  land,^ 
Where  late  he  left  the  beast  he  overcame, 
He  found  him  not ;  for  he  had  broke  his  band, 
And  was  returnd  againe  unto  his  dame, 
To  tell  what  tydings  of  fayre  Florimell  became. 

i  LancL,  place. 


320  THE    FAERIE    QUEENK. 


CANTO   VIII. 


The  Witch  creates  a  sno^vy  La- 
dy like  to  Florimell: 

Who  wronged  by  carle,  by  Proteus  sav'd, 
Is  sought  by  Paridell. 


1  So  oft  as  I  this  history  record, 

My  hart  doth  melt  with  meere  compassion, 
To  thinke  how  causelesse  of  her  owne  accord 
This  gentle  Damzell,  whom  1  write  upon. 
Should  plonged  be  in  such  affliction. 
Without  all  hope  of  comfort  or  reliefs  ; 
That  sure  I  weene  the  hardest  hart  of  stone 
Would  hardly  finde  ^  to  aggravate  her  griefe : 
For  misery  craves  rather  mercy  then  repi'iefe.'^ 

2  But  that  accursed  Hag,  her  hostesse  late 
Had  so  enranckled  her  malitious  hart. 
That  she  desyrd  th'  abridgement  of  her  fate, 
Or  long  enlargement  of  her  painefull  smart. 
Now  when  the  beast,  which  by  her  wicked  art 
Late  foorth  she  sent,  she  backe  retourning  spyde 
Tyde  with  her  golden  girdle  ;  it  a  part 

1  Finde,  find  itself  disposed.  2  Repriefe,  reproof. 

I.  8.  —  Causelesse  of  her  mvne  accord.'\     Without  having  been 
a  voluntary  party  to  anything  that  caused  her  misfortunes.     C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    Vlll.  321 

Of  her  rich  spoyles  whom  he  had  earst  destroyd 
She  weend,  and  wondrous  gladnes  to  her  hart  applyde: 

3  And,  with  it  ronning  hast'ly  to  her  sonne, 
Thought  with  that  sight  him  much  to  have  reliv'd^; 
"Who,  thereby  deeming  sure  the  thing  as'donne, 
His  former  griefe  with  furie  fresh  reviv'd 

Much  more  then  earst,  and  would  havealgates^  riv'd 
The  hart  out  of  his  brest :   for  sith  her  dedd 
He  surely  dempt,^  himselfe  he  thought  depriv'd 
Quite  of  all  hope  wherewith  he  long  had  fedd 
His  foolish  malady,  and  long  time  had  misledd. 

4  "With  thought  whereof  exceeding  mad  he  grew, 
And  in  his  rage  his  mother  would  have  slaine, 
Had  she  not  fled  into  a  secret  mew,* 

Where  she  was  wont  her  sprightes  to  entertaine. 
The  maisters  of  her  art :  there  was  she  faine 
To  call  them  all  in  order  to  her  ayde, 
And  them  coniure,  upon  eternall  paine, 
To  counsell  her  so  carefully^  dismayd 
How  she  might  heale  her  sonne  whose  senses  were 
decayd.® 

5  By  their  advice,  and  her  owne  wicked  wit, 
She  there  deviz'd  a  wondrous  worke  to  frame, 
"Whose  like  on  earth  was  never  framed  yit ; 
That  even  Nature  selfe  envide  the  same, 


1  Reliv'd,  reanimated.  *  Meio,  hiding-place. 

2  Alffntes,  by  all  means.  ^  Carefully,  sorrowfully, 
8  Dempl,  deemed.  6  Decayd,  impaired, 
vni,.    It                                  21 


322  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  grudg'd  to  see  the  counterfet  should  shame 
The  thing  itselfe.     In  hand  she  boldly  tooke 
To  make  another  like  the  former  dame, 
Another  Florimell,  in  shape  and  looke 
So  lively,^  and  so  like,  that  many  it  mistooke. 

6  The  substance,  whereof  she  the  body  made, 
Was  purest  snow  in  massy  mould  congeald, 
"Which  she  had  gathered  in  a  shady  glade 
Of  the  Riphoean  hils,  to  her  reveald 

By  errant  2  sprights,  but  from  all  men  conceald : 
The  same  she  tempred  with  fine  mercury 
And  virgin  wex*  that  never  yet  was  seald, 
And  mingled  them  with  perfect  vermily*  ; 
That  like  a  lively  sanguine  it  seemd  to  the  eye. 

7  In  stead  of  eyes,  two  burning  lampes  she  set 
In  silver  sockets,  shyning  like  the  skyes, 
And  a  quicke  moving  spirit  did  arret  ^ 

To  stirre  and  roll  them  like  to  womens  eyes : 
In  stead  of  yellow  lockes,  she  did  devyse 
With  golden  wyre  to  weave  her  curled  head  ; 
Yet  golden  wyre  was  not  so  yellow  thryse  ^ 
As  Floriraells  fayre  heare :  and,  in  the  stead 
Of  life,  she  put  a  spright  to  rule  the  carcas  dead  ;  — 


1  Lively,  life-like.  4  Vermihj,  vermilion. 

2  Errant,  wandering.  6  Arret,  appoint. 

3  Wex,  wax.  e  j.  g.  ^  ^hird  part. 


VI.  4.  —  liiphcean  Jiils.]    These  were  mountains  (probably  im- 
aginary) in  the  north  of  Scythia.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VIII.  323  • 

8  A  wicked  spright,  yfraught  with  fawning  guyle 
And  fayre  resemblance  above  all  the  rest, 
Which  with  the  Prince  of  Darkenes  fell  somewhyle' ' 
From  heavens  Wis  and  everlasting  rest : 

Him  needed  not  instruct  which  way  were  best 
Himselfe  to  fashion  likest  Florimell, 
Ne  how  to  speake,  ne  how  to  use  his  gest^ ; 
For  he  in  counterfesaunce  ^  did  excell, 
And  all  the  wyles  of  wemens  wits  knew  passing  well^ 

9  Him  shaped  thus  she  deckt  in  garments  gay, 
Which  Florimell  had  left  behind  her  late  ; 
That  whoso  then  her  saw  would  surely  say 
It  was  herselfe  whom  it  did  imitate, 

Or  fayrer  then  herselfe,  if  ought  algate* 
Might  fayrer  be.     And  then  she  forth  her  brought 
Unto  her  sonne  that  lay  in  feeble  state  ; 
Who,  seeing  her,  gan  streight  upstart,  and  thought 
She  was  the  Lady  selfe  whom  he  so  long  had  sought. 

10  Tho,  fast  her  clipping^  twixt  his  armes  twayne, 
Extremely  ioyed  in  so  happy  sight. 
And  soone  forgot  his  former  sickely  payne  : 
But  she,  the  more  to  seeme  such  as  she  hight, 
Coyly  rebutted  his  embracement  light ; 
Yet  still,  with  gentle  countenaunce,  retain'd 
Enough  to  hold  a  foole  in  vaine  delight : 
Him  long  she  so  with  shadowes  entertain'd, 

As  her  creatresse  had  in  charge  to  her  ordain'd  : 

1  Somewhyle,  once  on  a  time.  *  Algate,  by  any  meaiis. 

2  Gest,  bearing.  5  Clipping,  embracing. 

3  (^Ki'nlfrfi'H'miirp,  c<^\\n*f^y^p'\\'\\\^. 


324  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

11  Till  on  a  day,  as  he  disposed  was 

To  walke  the  woodes  with  that  his  idole  ^  faire, 
Her  to  disport  and  idle  time  to  pas 
III  th'  open  fi-eshnes  of  the  gentle  aire, 
A  Knijxht  that  way  there  chaunced  to  repairs ; 
Yet  knight  he  was  not,  but  a  boa'itfull  swaine 
That  deedes  of  amies  had  ever  in  despaire, 
Proud  Braggadocchio,  that  in  vaunting  vaine 
His  glory  did  repose  and  credit  did  maintaine. 

12  He,  seeing  with  that  chorle^  so  faire  a  wight 
Decked  with  many  a  costly  ornament, 
Much  merveiled  Jiereat,  as  well  he  might, 
And  thought  that  match  a  fowle  disparagement : 
His  bloody  speare  eftesoones  he  boldly  bent 
Against  the  silly  clowne,  who  dead  through  feare 
Fell  streight  to  ground  in  great  astonishment: 

"  Villein,"  sayd  he,  "  this  lady  is  my  deare ; 
Dy,  if  thou  it  gainesay  :  I  will  away  her  beare." 

13  The  fearefull  chorle^  durst  not  gainesay  nor  dooe, 
But  trembling  stood,  and  yielded  him  the  pray ; 
Who,  finding  litle  leasure  her  to  wooe. 

On  Troinparts  steed  her  mounted  without  stay, 
And  without  I'eskew  led  her  quite  away. 
Pi'oud  man  himselfe  then  Brairsradochio  deem'd. 
And  next*  to  none,  after  that  happy  day, 


1  /dole,  image.  8  JVea;*,  second. 

2  Clwiic,  churl. 

XI.  8.  —  Proufl  Brn(jfjadocclno.\    Braggadochio  reappears  from 
the  tliirJ  canto  of  the  second  book. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VIII.  325 

Being  possessed  of  that  spoyle,  which  seem'd 
The  fairest  wight  on  ground  and  most  of  men  esteem'd. 

14  But,  when  hee  saw  hiraselfe  free  from  poursute, 
He  gan  make  gentle  purpose^  to  his  dame 
With  termes  of  love  and  lewdnesse  dissolute  ; 
For  he  could  well  his  glozing  speaches  frame 
To  such  vaine  uses  that  him  best  became : 

But  she  thereto  would  lend  but  light  regard, 
As  seeming  sory  that  she  ever  came 
Into  his  powre,  that  used  her  so  hard 
To  reave  ^  her  honor  which  she  more  then  life  pre- 
fard. 

15  Thus  as  they  two  of  kindnes  treated  long, 
Tiiere  them  by  chaunce  encountred  on  the  way 
An  armed  Knight  upon  a  courser  strong, 
Whose  trampling  feete  upon  the  hollow  lay^ 
Seemed  to  thunder,  and  did  nigh  affray 

That  capons  corage  ;  yet  he  looked  grim, 
And  faynd  to  cheare  his  lady  in  dismay, 
Who  seemd  for  feare  to  quake  in  every  lim, 
And  her  to  save  from  outrage  meekely  prayed  him. 

16  Fiercely  that  straunger  forward  came  ;  and,  nigh 
Approching,  with  bold  words  and  bitter  threat 
Bad  that  same  boaster,  as  he  mote  on  high,* 


1  Pwpose,  conversation.  ^  Lay,  lea. 

2  Beave,  take  away.  ■*  I.  e.  As  loudly  as  he  could. 

XV.  3.  —  An  armed  Knight.']  Sir  Ferraugh,  as  we  learn  iu  the 
second  canto  of  the  fourth  book. 


326  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

To  leave  to  him  that  lady  for  excheat, 
Or  bide  *  liini  batteill  without  further  treat.* 
That  challeDge  did  too  iieremptory  seeme, 
And  fild  his  senses  with  abashment  great ; 
Yet,  seeing  nigh  him  ieopardy  extreme, 
He  it  dissembled  well,  and  light  seemd  to  esteeme ; 

17  Saying,  "  Thou  foolish  Knight !  that  weenst  with 

words 
To  steale  away  that  I  with  blowes  have  wonne, 
And  brought  through  points  of  many  perilous  swords. 
But  if  thee  list  to  see  thy  courser  ronne, 
Or  prove  thyselfe,  —  this  sad  encounter  shonne, 
And  seeke  els^  without  hazard  of  thy  hedd." 
At  those  prowd  words  that  other  knight  begonne 
To  wex  exceeding  wroth,  and  him  aredd* 
To  turne  his  steede  about,  or  sure  he  should  be  dedd. 

18  "  Sith  then,"  said  Braggadochio,  "  needes  thou  wilt 
Thy  dales  abridge,  through  proofe  of  puissaunce ; 
Turne  we  our  steeds ;  that  both  in  equall  tilt 
May  meete  againe,  and  each  take  hapi>y  clmunce." 
This  said,  they  both  a  fui'longs  mountenaunce^ 
Retird  their  steeds,  to  ronne  in  even  race : 

But  Braggadochio  with  his  bloody  launce, 


1  Bide,  bid,  ofTer.  *  Are<M,  advised. 

2  Treai,  parley.  6  Mounttnaunce,  amount. 

3  Els,  some  other. 

XVI.  4.  —  Excheat.']  Escheat.  —  Lands  which  are  forfeited,  or 
to  which  there  is  no  heir,  escheat,  or  revert  to  the  lord  of  whom 
they  .are  held.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VIII.  327 

Once  having  turnd,  no  more  returnd  his  face, 
But  leftc  his  Love  to  losse,  and  fled  himselfe  apace. 

19  The  Knight,  him  seeing  flie,  had  no  regard 
Him  to  poursew,  but  to  the  Lady  rode ; 

And,  having  her  from  Trompart  Hghtly  reard/ 
Upon  his  courser  sett  the  lovely  lode, 
And  with  her  fled  away  without  abode  ^: 
"Well  weened  he,  that  fairest  Florimell 
It  was  with  whom  in  company  he  yode,^ 
And  so  herselfe  did  alwaies  to  him  tell ; 
So  made  him  thinke  himselfe  in  heven  that  was  in  helL 

20  But  Florimell  herselfe  was  far  away, 
Driven  to  great  distresse  by  fortune  straunge, 
And  taught  the  carefull  mariner  to  play, 

Sith  late  mischaunce  had  her  compeld  to  chaunge 
The  land  for  sea,  at  randon  there  to  raunge : 
Yett  there  tliat  cruell  Queene  Avengeresse,* 
Not  satisfyde  so  far  her  to  estraunge 
From  courtly  blis  and  wonted  happinesse, 
Did  heape  on  her  new  waves  of  weary  Avretchednesse. 

n  For,  being  fled  into  the  fishers  bote 
For  refuge  from  the  monsters  cruelty, 
Long  so  she  on  the  mighty  maine  did  flote. 
And  with  the  tide  drove  forward  carelesly ; 
For  th'  ayre  was  milde  and  cleared  was  the  skie, 
And  all  his  windes  Dan  Aeolus  did  keepe 


1  Reard,  taken.  8  Yode,  went. 

2  Abode,  delay.  *  I.  e.  Fortune. 


328  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

From  stirring  up  their  stormy  enmity, 
As  pittying  to  see  her  waile  and  weepe ; 
But  all  the  while  the  fisher  did  securely  sleepe. 

2i  At  last  when  droncke  with  drowsinesse  he  woke, 
And  saw  his  drover  ^  drive  along  the  streame, 
He  was  dismayd ;  and  thrise  his  brest  he  stroke, 
For  marveill  of  that  accident  extreame : 
But  when  he  saw  that  blazing  beauties  beame, 
Which  Avith  rare  light  his  bote  did  beautifye, 
He  marveild  more,  and  thought  he  yet  did  drearae, 
Not  well  awakte ;  or  that  some  extasye 

Assotted  had  his  sence,  or  dazed  was  his  eye. 

23  But,  when  her  well  avizing^  hee  perceiv'd 
To  be  no  vision  nor  fantasticke  sight, 
Great  comfort  of  her  presence  he  conceiv'd, 
And  felt  in  his  old  corage®  new  delight 

To  gin  awake,  and  stir  his  frosen  spright  : 
Tho  rudely  askte  her,  how  she  thether  came  ? 
"  Ah  !  "  sayd  she,  "  fatlier,  I  note  read^  aright 
What  hard  misfortune  brought  me  to  this  same ; 
Yet  am  I  glad  that  here  I  now  in  safety  ame. 

24  "  But  thou,  good  man,  sith  far  in  sea  we  bee. 
And  the  great  waters  gin  apace  to  swell. 
That  now  no  more  we  can  the  mayn-land  see. 
Have  care,  I  pray,  to  guide  the  cock -bote  well, 
Least  worse  on  sea  then  us  on  land  befell." 


i  Drover,  boat  (  ?  ).  8  Cornge,  heart. 

*  Avizing,  looking  at.  4  jii^ote  read,  cannot  explain. 


iJOOK    III.       CANTO    VIU.  S29 

Thereat  th'  old  man  did  nought  but  fondly  grin. 
And  saide,  his  boat  the  way  could  wisely  tell : 
But  his  deceiptfuU  eyes  did  never  lin  ^ 
To  looke  on  her  faire  face  and  marke  her  snowy  skin. 

25  The  sight  whereof  in  his  congealed  flesh 
Infixt  such  secrete  sting  of  greedy  lust, 
That  the  drie  withered  stocke  it  gan  refresh, 
And  kindled  heat,  that  soone  in  flame  forth  brust : 
The  drie^^t  wood  is  soonest  burnt  to  dust. 
Rudely  to  her  he  lept,  and  his  rough  bond, 
Where  ill  became  him,  rashly  would  have  thrust; 
But  she  with  angry  scorne  him  did  withstond. 

And  shamefully  reproved  for  his  rudenes  fond,'-^ 

26  But  he,  that  never  good  nor  maners  knew, 
Her  sharpe  rebuke  full  litle  did  esteeme ; 
Hard  is  to  teach  an  old  horse  amble  trew : 
The  inward  smoke,  that  did  before  but  steeme, 
Broke  into  open  fire  and  rage  exti-eme ; 

And  now  he  strength  gan  adde  unto  his  will, 
Forcyng  ^  to  doe  that  did  him  fowle  misseeme : 
Beastly  he  threwe  her  downe,  ne  car'd  to  spill  * 
Her  garments  gay  with  scales  of  fish,  that  all  did  fill. 

27  The  silly  ^  Virgin  strove  him  to  withstand 
All  that  she  might,  and  him  in  vaine  revild; 
Shee  strugled  strongly  both  with  foote  and  hand 
To  save  her  lionor  from  that  villaine  vilde, 

1  Lin,  cease.  *  Spill,  spoil. 

2  Fmid,  foolish,  doting.  *  Billy,  innocent. 
8  Forcyng,  using  force. 


330  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  cride  to  heven,  from  humane  helpe  exild. 
O  ye  brave  knights,  that  boast  this  Ladies  love, 
Where  be  ye  now,  when  she  is  nigh  defild 
Of  tilthy  wretch  ?    Well  may  she  you  reprove 
Of  falsehood  or  of  slouth,  when  most  it  may  behove  ! 

28  But  if  that  thou.  Sir  Satyran,  didst  weete,      . 
Or  thou.  Sir  Peridure,  her  sory  state, 
How  soone  would  yee  assemble  many  a  fleete, 
To  fetch  from  sea  that  ye  at  land  lost  late  ! 
Towres,  citties,  kingdomes,  ye  would  ruinate 
In  your  avengemeiit  and  dispiteous  rage, 
Ne  ought  your  burning  fury  mote  abate : 
But,  if  Sir  Calidore  could  it  presage. 

No  living  creature  could  his  cruelty  asswage. 

S9  But,  sith  that  none  of  all  her  knights  is  nye. 
See  how  the  heavens,  of  voluntary  grace 
And  soveraine  favor  towards  chastity, 
Doe  succor  send  to  her  distressed  cace : 
So  much  High  God  doth  innocence  embrace^! 
It  fortuned,  whilest  tlius  she  stilly  strove, 
And  the  wide  sea  importuned  long  space 
With  shrilling  shriekes,  Proteus  abrode  did  rove. 

Along  the  fomy  waves  driving  his  finny  drove. 

so  Proteus  is  shepheard  of  the  seas  of  yore. 

And  hath  the  charge  of  Neptunes  mighty  heard ; 

1  Kmbrace,  protect. 

XXVIII.  2,  8.  —  Sir  Calidore  we  meet  iiereiifter;  but  of  Sir  Peri- 
lure  we  hear  no  more.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VIII.  331 

An  aged  sire  with  head  all  frowy  ^  hore, 
And  sprinckled  frost  upon  his  deavvy  beard : 
Who  when  those  pittifuU  outcries  he  heard 
Tiirough  all  the  seas  so  ruefully  resownd, 
His  charett  swifte  in  hast  he  thether  steard, 
Which,  with  a  teerae  of  scaly  phocas^  bownd, 
Was  drawne  upon  the  waves,  that  fomed  him  arownd. 

31  And  comming  to  that  fishers  wandring  bote. 
That  went  at  will  withouten  card  or  sayle, 

He  therein  saw  that  yrkesome  siglit,  which  smote 
Deepe  indignation  and  compassion  frayle^ 
Into  his  hart  attonce :  streight  did  he  hayle 
The  greedy  villein  from  liis  hoped  pray, 
Of  which  he  now  did  very  litle  fayle ; 
And  with  his  staffe,  that  drives  his  heard  astray, 
Him    bett   so    sore,   that  life   and   sence    did  much 
dismay. 

32  The  whiles  the  pitteous  lady  up  did  ryse, 
Ruffled  and  fowly  raid*  with  filthy  soyle, 

And  blubbred  face  with  teares  of  her  faire  eyes ; 
Her  heart  nigh  broken  was  with  weary  toyle, 
To  save  lierselfe  from  that  outrageous  S])oyle  : 
But  when  she  looked  up,  to  weet  what  wight 
Had  her  from  so  infamous  fact  assoyld,^ 
For  shame,  but  more  for  feare  of  his  grim  sight, 
Downe  in  her  lap  she  hid  her  face,  ami  lowdly  shright.* 

1  Frowy,  musty,  mossy.  But  Qu-froryf  frosty,  as  in  next  page. 

2  Pliocas,  seals.  5  Assoyld,  delivered. 
8  Frnyh,  soft.  6  Shriijlit,  shrieked. 
'  Raid,  defiled. 


332  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

33  Herselfe  not  saved  yet  from  daunger  dredd 

She  thouglit,  but  chaung'd  from  one  to  other  feare. 
Like  as  a  fearefull  partridge,  that  is  fledd 
From  tlie  sharpe  hauke  which  her  attached  ^  neare, 
And  fals  to  ground  to  seeke  for  succor  theare, 
Whereas-  the  hungry  spaniells  she  does  spye 
With  greedy  iavves  her  ready  for  to  teare : 
In  such  distresse  and  sad  perplexity 

Was  Florimell,  when  Proteus  she  did  see  her  by. 

s-i  But  he  endevored  with  speaches  milde 
Her  to  recomfort,  and  accourage  bold, 
Bidding  her  feare  no  more  her  foeman  vilde, 
Nor  doubt  himselfe  ;  and  who  he  was  her  told : 
Yet  all  that  could  not  from  affright  her  hold, 
Ne  to  recomfort  her  at  all  prevayld ; 
For  her  faint  hart  was  with  the  frosen  cold 
Benumbd  so  inly,  that  her  wits  nigh  fayld. 

And  all  her  sences  with  abashment  quite  were  quayld. 

3d  Her  up  betwixt  his  rugged  hands  he  reai'd, 
And  with  his  frory^  lips  full  softly  kist, 
Whiles  the  cold  ysickles  from  his  rough  beard 
Dropped  adowne  upon  her  yvory  brest : 
Yet  he  himselfe  so  busily  addrest,^ 
That  her  out  of  astonishment  he  wrought; 
And,  out  of  that  same  fishers  filthy  nest 
Removing  her,  into  his  charet  brought, 

And  there  with  many  gentle  termes  her  faire  besouglit. 


1  Allnched,  attacked.  3  Fi-m-y,  frosty. 

2  Whei-eaf,  where.  4  Addrest,  applied. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VIIT.  333 

S6  But  that  old  leachoui',  which  with  bold  assault 
That  beautie  durst  presume  to  violate, 
He  cast  ^  to  punish  for  his  hainous  fault : 
Then  tooke  he  him,  yet  trembling  sith  of  late,* 
And  tyde  behind  his  charet,  to  aggrate  ^ 
The  A'irgin  whom  he  had  abusde  so  sore  ; 
So  drag'd  hhn  through  the  waves  in  scornfull  state, 
And  after  cast  him  up  upon  the  shore  ; 

But  Florimell  vvith  him  unto  his  bowre^  he  bore. 

37  His  bowre  is  in  the  bottom  of  the  maine. 
Under  a  mightie  rocke  gainst  which  doe  rave 
The  roring  billowes  in  their  proud  disdaine, 
That  with  the  angry  working  of  the  wave 
Therein  is  eaten  out  an  hollow  cave. 
That  seemes  rough  masons  hand  with  engines  keene 
Had  long  while  laboured  it  to  engrave^ : 
There  was  his  wonne®;  ne  living  weight  was  scene 

Save    one   old  nymph,  bight   Panope,    to   keejie    it 
clean  e. 

18  Thether  he  brought  the  sory'  Florimell, 
And  entertained  her  the  best  he  might. 
And  Panope  her  entertaind  eke  well, 
As  an  immortall  mote  a  mortall  wight, 
To  winne  her  liking  unto  his  delight: 
With  flattering  wordes  he  sweetly  wooed  her. 
And  offered  faire  guiftes  t'  allure  her  sight ; 

1  Cast,  considered  how.  6  En<jrave,  cut  in. 

2  I.  e.  since  tlie  late  attack  of  Proteus.        6  Womie,  dwelling. 
8  Affffrnte,  gratify.  1  Sury,  sad. 

*  Bowre,  home. 


334  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  she  both  offers  and  the  offerer 
Despysde,  and  all  the  fawning  of  the  flatterer. 

39  Dayly  he  tempted  her  with  this  or  that, 
And  never  suffred  her  to  be  at  rest : 
But  evermore  she  him  refused  flat, 
And  all  his  fained  kindnes  did  detest; 
So  firmely  she  had  sealed  up  her  brest. 
Sometimes  he  boasted  that  a  god  he  bight ; 
But  she  a  mortall  creature  loved  best : 

Then  he  would  make  himselfe  a  mortall  wight ; 
But  then  she  said  she  lov'd  none  but  a  Faery  Knight, 

40  Then  like  a  Faerie  Knight  himselfe  he  drest ; 
For  every  shape  on  him  he  could  endew : 
Then  like  a  king  he  was  to  her  exprest, 
And  offred  kinjjdoms  unto  her  in  vew 

To  be  his  leman  and  his  lady  trew  : 
But  when  all  this  he  notliing  saw  prevaile, 
With  harder  meanes  he  cast  her  to  subdew, 
And  with  sharpe  threates  her  often  did  assayle  ; 
So  thinking  for  to  make  her  stubborne  corage  quayle. 

41  To  dreadtuU  shapes  he  did  himselfe  transformer 
Now  like  a  gyaunt ;   now  like  to  a  feend  ; 
Then  like  a  centaure  ;  then  like  to  a  storme 
Raging  witliin  the  waves.     Thereby  he  weend 
Her  will  to  win  unto  his  wished  eend  : 

But  when  with  feare,  nor  favour,  nor  with  all 
Tie  els  could  doe,  he  saw  himselfe  esteemd, 
Downe  in  a  dungeon  dt'Cpe  he  let  her  fall, 
And  threatned  tliere  to  make  her  his  eternall  thralL 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VIII.  335 

t2  Eternall  thraldome  was  to  her  more  liefe^ 
Then  losse  of  chastitie,  or  chauiige  of  love : 
Dye  had  she  i-ather  in  tormenting  griefe 
Then  any  should  of  falsenesse  her  reprove, 
Or  loosenes,  that  she  lightly  did  remove.^ 
Most  vertuous  Virgin  !  glory  be  thy  meed, 
And  crowne  of  heavenly  prayse  with  saintes  above, 
Whei-e  most  sweet  hymmes  of  this  thy  famous  deed 

Are  still  emongst  them  song,  that  far  ray  rymes  ex- 
ceed. 

13  Fit  song  of  angels  caroled  to  bee  ! 

But  yet  whatso  my  feeble  Muse  can  frame, 
Shal  be  t'  advance^  thy  goodly  chastitee, 
And  to  enroll  thy  memorable  name 
In  th'  heart  of  every  honourable  dame, 
That  they  thy  vertuous  deedes  may  imitate, 
And  be  partakers  of  thy  endlesse  fame. 
Yt  yi-kes  me  leave  thee  in  this  wofull  state. 

To  tell  of  Satyrane  where  I  him  left  of  late  : 

44  "Who  having  ended  with  that  Squyre  of  Dames 
A  long  discourse  of  his  adventures  vayne. 
The  which  himselfe  then  ladies  more  defames. 
And  finding  not  th'  Hyena  to  be  slayne, 
With  that  same  Squyre  retourned  back  agayne 
To  his  first  way  :  and,  as  they  forward  went. 
They  spyde  a  Knight  fayre  pricking  on  the  playne, 
As  if  he  were  on  some  adventure  bent, 

And  in  his  port  appeared  manly  hardiment. 

1  Liefe,  dear.  2  Remove,  change.  8  Advance,  extol. 


336  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

45  Sir  Satyrane  him  towardes  did  addresse, 

To  weet  what  wi^ht  he  was,  and  what  his  quest : 
And,  comming  nigh,  eftsoones  he  gan  to  gesse 
Both  by  the  burning  hart  \vhich  on  his  brest 
He  bare,  and  by  the  colours  in  his  crest, 
That  Paridell  it  was  :  tho  to  him  yode, 
And,  him  saluting  as  beseemed  best, 
Gan  lirst  inquire  of  tydinges  farre  abrode  ; 
And  afterwardes  on  what  adventure  now  he  rode. 

46  Who  thereto  answering  said  :    "  The  tydinges  bad, 
Which  now  in  Faery  Court  all  men  doe  tell, 
Which  turned  hath  gi-eat  mirth  to  mourning  sad, 
Is  the  late  ruine  of  proud  Marinell, 

And  suddein  parture  of  faire  Florimell 
To  find  iiim  forth :  and  after  her  are  gone 
All  tiie  brave  knightes,  that  doen  in  amies  excell. 
To  savegard  her  ywandred  all  alone  ; 
Emongst  the  rest  my  lott  (unworthy')  is  to  be  one." 

47  "  Ah  !  gentle  Knight,"  said  then  Sir  Satyrane, 
"  Thy  labour  all  is  lost,  I  greatly  dread, 
That  hast  a  thanklesse  service  on  thee  ta'ne. 
And  offrest  sa(;rifice  unto  the  dead : 

For  dead,  I  surely  *  doubt,*  thou  maist  aread  ^ 

1  Dovibt,  fear.  2  Aread^  conceive. 

XLV.  6.  —  That  Paridell  it  was.]  Paridell  is  an  agreeable  and 
accomplished  libertine.  The  burning  heart  is  also  a  part  of  the 
description  of  Lechery  in  the  fourth  canto  of  the  first  book. 
Parideli,  according  to  Upton,  represents  the  Earl  of  Westmore- 
land.   H. 

*  Qu.  soi-eli/f 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    VIII.  337 

Henceforth  for  ever  Florimell  to  bee  ; 
That  all  the  noble  Knights  of  Maytlenhead, 
Which  her  ador'd,  may  sore  repent  with  mee, 
A.nd  all  faire  ladies  may  for  ever  sory  bee." 

48  Which  wordes  when  Paridell  had  heard,  his  hew 
Gan  greatly  chaung,  and  seemd  di.-;maid  to  bee ; 
Then  said  :  "  Fayre  Sir,  how  may  I  weene  it  trew, 
That  ye  doe  tell  in  such  uncerteintee? 

Or  speake  ye  of  report,  or  did  ye  see 
lust  cause  of  dread,  that  makes  ye  doubt  so  sore  ' 
For,  perdie,  elles  how  mote  it  ever  bee, 
That  ever  hand  should  dare  for  to  engore^ 
Her  noble  blood  !     The  hevens  such  crueltie  abhore." 

49  "  These  eyes  did  see  that  they  will  ever  rew 

To  have  seene,"  quoth  he,  "  whenas  a  monstrous 

beast 
The  palfrey  whereon  she  did  travell  slew, 
And  of  his  bowels  made  his  bloody  feast : 
Which  speaking  token  sheweth  at  the  least 
Her  certeine  losse,  if  not  her  sure  decay  - : 
Besides,  that  more  suspicion  encreast, 
I  found  her  golden  girdle  cast  astray, 
Distaynd    with   durt  and   blood,   as  relique    of  the 

pray." 

1  Fngore,  pierce,  shed.  2  Decay,  destruction. 

XLIX.  S.  —  Tfoiiii'l  her  r/olJen  c/ii'clle  cost  (isiray.]  In  the  sec- 
ond stanza  of  this  book,  we  are  told  that  the  beast  went  back  with 
the  girdle  to  the  witch.    H. 

VOL.  II.  22 


338  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

^0  "  Ay  me  ! "  said  Paridell,  "  the  signes  be  sadd ; 
And,  but  God  turne  tlie  same  to  good  soothsay,^ 
Tliat  ladies  safetie  is  sore  to  be  dradd : 
Yet  will  I  not  forsake  my  forward  way, 
Till  triall  doe  more  certeine  truth  bewa'ay." 
"  Faire  Sir,"  quoth  he,  "  well  may  it  you  succeed  ! 
Ne  long  shall  Satyrane  behind  you  stay; 
But  to  the  rest,  which  in  this  quest  proceed, 

My  labour  adde,  and  be  partaker  of  tlieir  speed." 

51  "  Ye  noble  Knights,"  said  then  the  Squyre  of  Dames, 
"  Well  may  yee  speede  in  so  praiseworthy  payne  ! 
But  sith  the  sunne  now  ginnes  to  slake  his  beames 
In  deawy  vapours  of  the  westerne  mayne, 

And  lose  the  teme  out  of  his  weary  wayiie, 
Mote  not  mislike  you  also  to  abate 
Your  zealous  hast,  till  morrow  next  againe 
Both  light  of  heven  and  strength  of  men  relate^: 
Wliich  if  ye  please,  to  yonder  Castle  turne  your  gate." 

52  That  counsell  pleased  well ;  so  all  yfere  ^ 
Forth  marched  to  a  castle  them  before ; 
Where  soone  arryving  they  restrained  w^ere 
Of  ready  entraunce,  which  ought  evermore 

To  errant  knights  be  commune.     Wondrous  sore 
Thereat  displeasd  they  were,  till  that  young  Squyre 
Gan  them  informe  the  cause  why  that  same  dore 
Was  shut  to  all  which  lodging  did  desyre : 
The  which  to  let  you  weet  will  further  time  requyre. 


i  Soothsay,  omen.  8  Yfere,  together. 

2  Relate,  bring  back. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    IX.  331> 


CANTO    IX. 


Blalbecco  will  no  straunge  knights  host,i 

For  peevish  gealosy : 
Paridell  giusts  with  Britomart: 

Both  shew  their  auncestry. 


1  Redoubted  Knights,  and  honorable  Dames, 
To  whom  I  levell  all  my  labours  end, 
Risht  sore  I  feare  least  with  unworthie  blames 
This  odious  argument  my  rymes  should  sliend,^' 
Or  ought  your  goodly  patience  offend, 
Whiles  of  a  wanton  lady  I  doe  write. 
Which  with  her  loose  incontinence  doth  blend  ^ 
The  shyning  glory  of  your  soveraine  light ; 

Aaid  knighthood  fowle  defaced  by  a  faithlesse  knight. 

3  But  never  let  th'  ensample  of  the  bad 
Offend  the  good :  for  good,  by  paragone  * 
Of  evill,  may  more  notably  be  rad  ^ ; 
As  white  seemes  fayrer  macht  with  blacke  attone  ® : 
Ne  all  are  shamed  by  the  fault  of  one : 
For  lo !  in  heven,  whereas  all  goodnes  is, 
Emongst  the  angels,  a  whole  legione 

1  Host,  entertain.  *  Paragone,  contrast. 

2  Sfiend,  disgrace.  5  Rad,  discerned. 

^  BU.rul,  blind,  dim.  6  Attone,  at  one,  together. 


S40  THE    FAEHIE    QUEENE. 

Of  wicked  sprightes  did  fall  from  happy  blis  ; 
Wlia^  wonder  then  if  one,  of  women  all,  did  mis^? 

s  Then  listen,  Lordings,  if  ye  list  to  weet 
The  cause  why  Satyrane  and  Paridell 
Mote  not  be  entertaynd,^  as  seemed  meet, 
Into  that  castle,  as  that  squyre  does  tell. 
"  Therein  a  cancred  crabbed  carle  ^  does  dwell, 
That  has  no  skill  of  court  nor  courtesie, 
Ne  cares  what  men  say  of  him  ill  or  well: 
For  all  his  dayes  he  drownes  in  privitie. 
Yet  has  full  large  to  live  and  spend  at  libertie. 

4  "  But  all  his  mind  is  set  on  mucky  pelfe, 
To  hoord  up  heapes  of  evill-gotten  masse. 

For  which  he  others  wrongs,  and  wreckes  himselfe : 
Yet  is  he  lincked  to  a  lovely  lasse. 
Whose  beauty  doth  her  bounty*  far  surpasse . 
The  which  to  him  both  far  unequall  yeares 
And  also  far  unlike  conditions®  has; 
For  she  does  ioy  to  play  emongst  her  peares. 
And  to  be  free  from  hard  restraynt  and  gealous  feares. 

5  "  But  he  is  old,  and  withered  like  hay, 
Unfit  faire  ladies  service  to  supply; 

The  privie  guilt  whereof  makes  him  alway 
Suspect  her  truth,  and  keepe  continuall  spy 
Upon  her  with  his  other  blincked  eye ; 

1  Mis,  go  astray.  <  BmiiUy,  virtue. 

-  Entertaiind,  received.  6  Conditions,  qualities. 

8  Carle,  churl. 

V.  6.  —  ni$  other  blincked  eye.]     Other   as  before,  in  the  sense 


BOOK    111.      CANTO    IX.  341 

Ne  Buffreth  he  resort  of  living  wight 
Approch  to  her,  ne  keepe  her  company, 
But  in  close  bowre^  her  mewes  from  all  mens  sight, 
Depriv'd  of  kindly  ioy  and  naturall  dehght. 

6  "  Malbecco  he,  and  Hellenore  she  liight ; 
Unfitly  yokt  together  in  one  teeme. 
That  is  the  cause  why  never  any  knight 
Is  sufFred  here  to  enter,  but  he  seeme 

Such  as  no  doubt  of  him  he  neede  misdeeme." 
Thereat  Sir  Satyrane  gan  smyle,  and  say : 
"  Extremely  mad  the  man  I  surely  deeme 
That  weenes,  with  watch  and  hard  restraynt,  to  stay 
A  womans  will  which  is  disposd  to  go  astray. 

7  "  In  vaine  he  feares  that  which  he  cannot  shonne : 
For  who  wotes  not,  that  womans  subtiltyes 

Can  guylen^  Argus,  when  she  list  misdonne? 
It  is  not  yron  bandes,  nor  hundred  eyes, 
Nor  brasen  walls,  nor  many  wakefuU  spyes, 
That  can  withhold  her  wilfull-wandring  feet ; 
But  fast  goodwill,  with  gentle  courtesyes, 
And  timely  service  to  her  pleasures  meet, 
May  her  perhaps  contained  that  else  would  algates* 
fleet.5" 

1  Bouyre,  chamber.  *  Alc/ateSt  at  all  events. 

2  Gnylen,  deceive.  ^  Fleet,  flee. 
8  Containe,  hold  in. 

of  one  of  two.    JIalbecco  was  quite  blind  of  one  eye,  and  the  other 
was  "  bliiicked  "  or  dimmed.     C. 

VI.  1.  —  Malbecco  means  cuckold.    Hellenore  is  derived  from 
the  Grecian  Helen. 


342  THE    FAEEIE    QUEENE. 

8  "  Then  is  he  not  more  mad,"  sayd  Paridell, 
"  Tliat  hath  himselfe  unto  such  service  sold,^ 
In  doleful!  tliraldome  all  his  dayes  to  dwell? 
For  sure  a  foole  I  doe  him  firmely  hold, 

That  loves  his  fetters,  though  they  were  of  gold. 
But  why  doe  wee  devise  of  others  ill,^ 
Whyles  thus  we  suffer  this  same  dotard  old 
To  keepe  us  out  in  scorne,  of  his  owne  will, 
And  rather  do  not  ransack  all,  and  himselfe  kill  ?  " 

9  "  Nay,  let  us  first,"  sayd  Satyrane,  "  entreat 
The  man,  by  gentle  meanes,  to  let  us  in ; 
And  afterwardes  affray  with  cruell  threat. 
Ere  that  we  to  efforce  it  doe  begin : 
Then,  if  all  fayle,  we  will  by  force  it  win, 
And  eke  reward  the  wretch  for  his  mesprise,* 
As  may  be  worthy  of  his  haynous  sin." 
That  counsell  pleasd :  then  Paridell  did  rise, 

And  to  the  castle-gate  aj^procht  in  quiet  wise : 

10  Whereat  soft  knocking,  entrance  he  desyrd. 
The  good  man  selfe,  which  then  the  porter  playd, 
Him  answered,  that  all  were  now  retyrd 
Unto  their  rest,  and  all  the  keyes  convayd 
Unto  their  maister  who  in  bed  was  layd. 
That  none  him  durst  awake  out  of  his  dreme ; 
And  therefore  them  of  patience  gently  prayd.- 
Then  Paridell  began  to  chaunge  his  theme. 

And  threatned  him  with  force  and  punishment  ex- 
treme. 

1  I.  e.  who  has  married  at  all.  3  Mesprise,  contempt. 

2  r.  e.  talk  of  other's  misfortunes. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IX. 


343 


11  But  all  in  vaine ;  for  nought  mote  l)im  relent: 
And  now  so  long  before  the  wicket  fast 

They  waytecl,  that  the  night  was  forward  spent, 
And  the  faire  welkin  ^  fowly  overcast 
Gan  blowen  up  a  bitter  stormy  blast, 
With  showre  and  hayle  so  horrible  and  dred, 
That  this  faire  many  ^  were  compeld  at  last 
To  fly  for  succour  to  a  little  shed, 
The  which  beside  the  gate  for  swyne  was  ordered. 

12  It  fortuned,  soone  after  they  were  gone, 
Another  Knight,  whom  tempest  thether  brought, 
Came  to  that  castle,  and  with  earnest  mone. 
Like  as  the  rest,  late  entrance  deare^  besought; 
But,  like  so  as  the  rest,  he  prayd  for  nought ; 
For  flatly  he  of  entrance  was  refusd  : 

Sorely  thereat  he  was  displeasd,  and  thought 
How  to  avenge  himselfe  so  sore  abusd, 
And  evermore  the  carle  of  courtesie  accusd.* 

13  But,  to  avoyde  th'  intollerable  stowre,^ 

He  was  compeld  to  seeke  some  refuge  neare, 
And  to  that  shed,  to  shrowd  him  from  the  showre, 
He  came,  which  full  of  guests  he   found   whyl- 

eare,® 
So  as  he  was  not  let  to  enter  there  : 
Whereat  he  gan  to  wex  exceeding  wroth, 
And  swore  that  he  would  lodge  with  them  yfere/ 

1  WelJcin,  sky.  ^  Stoioi-e,  storm. 

2  Mnny,  company.  8  Whykare,  before  (him). 
8  Deare,  earnestly.  ''  Y/'ere,  together. 

1  I.  e.  of  lack  of  courtesy. 


344  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Or  tliem  dislodg,  all  were  they  liefe  ^  or  loth  ; 
And  so  defyde  them  each,  and  so  defyde  them  both. 

14  Both  were  full  loth  to  leave  that  needful  tent,^ 
And  both  full  loth  in  darkenesse  to  debate^; 
Yet  both  full  liefe  him  lodging  to  have  lent,'* 
And  both  full  liefe  his  boasting  to  abate  : 

But  chiefely  Paridell  his  hart  did  grate 
To  heai'e  him  threaten  so  despightfully, 
As  if  he  did  a  dogge  in  kenell  rate 
That  durst  not  barke  ;  and  rather  had  he  dy 
Then,  when  he  was  defyde,  in  coward  corner  ly. 

15  Tho,  hastily  remounting  to  his  steed, 

He  forth  issew'd  ;  like  as  a  boystrous  winde, 
Which  in  th'  earthes  hollow  caves  hath  long  ben  hid 
And  shut  up  fast  within  her  prisons  blind, 
Makes  the  huge  element,  against  her  kinde,® 
To  move  and  tremble  as  it  were  aghast, 
Untill  that  it  an  issew  forth  may  finde ; 
Then  forth  it  breakes,  and  with  his  furious  blast 
Confounds  both  land  and  seas,  and  skyes  doth  overcast. 

16  Their  steel-hed  speares  they  strongly  coucht,  and  met 
Together  with  impetuous  rage  and  forse, 

That  with  the  terrour  of  their  fierce  aifi'et® 
They  rudely  drove  to  ground  both  man  and  horse, 
That  each  awhile  lay  like  a  sencelesse  corse. 
But  Paridell,  sore  brused  with  the  blow, 

1  Liefe,  willing.  4  j.  e.  if  there  had  been  room. 

2  Tmt,  shelter.  6  Kinde,  nature. 

8  Debate,  quarrel.  6  Affret,  encounter. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IX.  345 

Could  not  arise,  the  counterchaunge  to  scorse^; 
Till  that  young  Squyre  him  reared  from  below  ; 
Then  drew  he  his  bright  sword,  and  gan  about  him 
throw. 

n  But  Satyrane,  forth  stepping,  did  them  stay, 
And  with  faire  treaty  pacifide  their  yre : 
Then,  when  they  were  accorded  ^  from  the  fray. 
Against  that  Castles  lord  they  gan  conspire. 
To  heape  on  him  dew  vengeaunce  for  his  hire. 
They  beene  agreed,  and  to  the  gates  they  goe 
To  burne  the  same  with  unquenchable  fire. 
And  that  uncurteous  carle,  their  commune  foe. 

To  doe  fowle  death  to  die,  or  wrap  in  grievous  woe. 

18  Malbecco  seeing  them  resolvd  in  deed 

To  flame  the  gates,  and  hearing  them  to  call 
For  fire  in  earnest,  ran  with  fearfull  speed, 
And,  to  them  calling  from  the  castle  wall. 
Besought  them  humbly  him  to  beare  with  all. 
As  ignorant  of  servants  bad  abuse 
And  slacke  attendaunce  unto  straungers  call. 
The  knights  were  willing  all  things  to  excuse, 
Though  nought  belev'd,  and  entraunce  late  did  not 
refuse. 

19  They  beene  ybrought  into  a  comely  bowre, 
And  servd  of  all  things  that  mote  needfull  bee ; 
Yet  secretly  their  hoste  did  on  them  lowre, 
And  welcomde  more  for  feare  then  charitee  ; 

1.  Scorse,  exchange,  give  back.  2  Accorded,  made  to  agree. 


346  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  they  dissembled  what  they  did  not  see,^ 
And  welcomed  themselves.     Each  gan  undight 
Their  garments  wett,  and  weary  armour  free, 
To  dry  themselves  by  Vulcanes  flaming  light, 
And  eke  their  lately  bruzed  parts  to  bring  in  plight. 

JO  And  eke  that  straunger  knight  emongst  the  rest 
Was  for  like  need  enforst  to  disaray : 
Tho,  whenas  vailed  was  her  lofty  crest,* 
Her  golden  locks,  that  were  in  tramells*  gay 
Upbounden,  did  themselves  adowne  display. 
And  raught  unto  her  heeles ;  like  sunny  beames. 
That  in  a  cloud  their  light  did  long  time  stay. 
Their  vapour  vaded,^  shewe  their  golden  gleames, 

And    through    the  persant®   aire   shoote  forth  their 
azure  streames. 

SI  Shee  also  dofte  her  heavy  haberieon,' 

Which  the  faire  feature  of  her  limbs  did  hyde ; 
And  her  well-plighted*  frock,  which  she  did  won^ 
To  tucke  about  her  short  when  she  did  rvde, 
Shee  low  let  fall,  that  flowd  from  her  lanck  *"  syde 
Downe  to  her  foot  with  carelesse  modestee. 
Then  of  tlicm  all  she  [jlainly  was  espyde 
To  be  a  woman  wiglit,  unwist  to  bee, 

The  fairest  woman  wight  that  ever  eie  did  see. 


1  I.  e.  to  be  liospitably  received.        7  IJnbericon,  coat  of  miiil. 

2  Plbjhl,  Older.  8  Wdl-pliijhted,  well-folded 
«  I.  e.  when  slie  had  doffed  her  helmet. 

*  Trnmells,  braids.  9  Won,  use. 

6  Vdiled,  dissipated.  10  Lanik,  slender. 

*  Ptraant,  sharj),  clear. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IX.  347 

•^2  Like  as  Bellona,  being  late  returnd 

From  slaiigliter  of  the  giaunts  conquered,  — 
Where    proud    Encelade,    whose    wide    nosethrils 

burnd 
With  breathed  flames  hke  to  a  furnace  I'edd, 
Transfixed  with  her  speare,  downe  tombled  dedd 
From  top  of  Hemus  by  him  heaped  hve,  — 
Hath  loosd  her  helmet  from  her  lofty  hedd, 
And  her  Gorgonian  shield  gins  to  untye 

From  her  lefte  arrae,  to  rest  in  glorious  victorye. 

23  Which  whenas  they  beheld,  they  smitten  were 
With  great  amazement  of  so  wondrous  sight ; 
And  each  on  other,  and  they  all  on  her, 
Stood  gazing  ;  as  if  suddein  great  affright 
Had  them  surprizd.    At  last  avizing^  right 
Her  goodly  personage  and  glorious  hew. 
Which  they  so  much  mistooke,  they  tooke  delight 
In  their  first  error,  and  yett  still  anew 

With  wonder  of  her  beauty  fed  their  hongry  vew. 

J4  Yet  note  ^  their  hongry  vew  be  satisfide, 
But,  seeing,  still  the  more  desir'd  to  see, 
And  ever  firmely  fixed  did  abide 
In  contemplation  of  divinitee  : 
But  most  they  mervaild  at  her  chevalree 
And  noble  prowesse  which  they  had  approv'd, 

1  Avizinrj,  contemplating.  2  Xote,  could  not. 


XXII.  1.    -  Bellona  here  is  meant  for  Minerva,  which  is  indeed 
the  reading  of  all  the  later  editions.     C. 


348  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

That  much  they  faynd  to  know  who  she  mote  bee ; 
Yet  none  of  all  them  her  thereof  araov'd  ^ ; 
Yet  every  one  her  likte,  and  every  one  her  lov'd. 

25  And  Paridell,  though  partly  discontent 
With  his  late  fall  and  fowle  indignity, 
Yet  was  soone  wonne  his  malice  to  relent, 
Through  gratious  regard  of  her  faire  eye, 
And  kniglitly  worth  which  he  too  late  did  try, 
Yet  tried  did  adore.     Supper  was  dight ; 
Then  they  Malbecco  prayd  of  courtesy. 
That  of  his  lady  they  might  have  the  sight 

And  company  at  meat,  to  doe  them  more  delight. 

26  But  he,  to  shifted  their  curious  request, 

Gan  causen®  why  she  could  not  come  in  place; 
Her  erased*  helth,  her  late  recourse  to  rest. 
And  humid  evening,  ill  for  sicke  folkes  cace: 
But  none  of  those  excuses  could  take  place ; 
Ne  would  they  eate,  till  she  in  presence  came : 
Shee  came  in  presence  with  right  comely  grace, 
And  fairely  them  saluted,  as  became. 
And  shewd  herselfe  in  all  a  gentle,  courteous  dame. 

27  They  sate  to  meat ;  and  Satyrane  his  chaunce 
Was  her  before,  and  Paridell  beside  ; 

But  he  himselfe  ^  sate  looking  still  askaunce 
Gainst  Britomart,  and  ever  closely  eide 
Sir  Satyrane,  that  glaunces  might  not  glide  : 

1  I.  e.  questioned.  ^  Crased,  impaired. 

2  Shifte,  evade.  6  J.  e.  Miilbecco. 
8  Catisen,  assign  reasons. 


BOOK    in.       CANTO    IX.  349 

But  his  blinde  eie,  that  sided  ^  Paridell, 
All  his  deraeasnure'-  from  his  sight  did  hide: 
On  her  faire  face  so  did  he  feede  his  fill, 
And  sent  close  ^  messages  of  love  to  her  at  will. 

28  And  ever  and  anone,  when  none  was  ware, 
With  speaking  lookes,  that  close  embassage  bore, 
He  rov'd^  at  her,  and  told  his  secret  care  ; 
For  all  that  art  he  learned  had  of  yore : 
Ne  was  she  ignoraunt  of  that  lend  lore, 
But  in  his  eye  his  meaning  wisely  redd, 
And  with  the  like  him  aunswerd  evermore : 
Shee  sent  at  him  one  fyrie  dart,  whose  hedd 

Empoisned  was  with  privy  lust  and  gealous  dredd. 

so  He  from  that  deadly  throw  made  no  defence. 
But  to  the  wound  his  weake  heart  opened  wyde : 
The  wicked  engine  through  false  influence 
Past  through  his  eies,  and  secretly  did  glyde 
Into  his  heart,  which  it  did  sorely  gryde.^ 
But  nothing  new  to  him  was  that  same  paine, 
Ne  paine  at  all ;  for  he  so  ofte  had  tryde 
The  powre  thereof,  and  lov'd  so  oft  in  vaine, 

That  thing  of  course  he  counted,  love  to  entertaine. 

30  Thenceforth  to  her  he  sought  to  intimate 

His  inward  griefe,  by  meanes  to  him  well  knowne: 
Now  Bacchus  fruit  out  of  the  silver  plate 

1  Sided,  was  on  the  side  towards.  *  Rov^d,  shot. 

2  Demeasmire,  demeanor.  S  Gryde,  pierce. 
8  Close,  secret. 

XXX.  3. —  So  Paris  (after  whom  Paridell  is  named)  makes  love 


350  THK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

He  on  the  table  dasht,  as  overthrowne, 
Or  of  the  fruitfull  liquor  overflowne  ; 
And  by  the  daunciiig  bubbles  did  divine, 
Or  therein  write  to  lett  his  love  be  showae ; 
Which  well  she  redd  out  of  the  learned  line : 
A  sacrament  prophane  in  mistery  of  wine.^ 

31  And,  whenso  of  his  hand  the  pledge  she  raught,- 
The  guilty  cup  she  fained  to  mistake, 
And  in  her  lap  did  shed  her  idle  draught, 
Shewing  desire  her  inward  flame  to  slake. 
By  such  close  signes  they  secret  way  did  make 
Unto  their  wils,  and  One-eies  watch  escape : 
Two  eies  him  needeth,  for  to  watch  and  wake, 
Who  lovers  will  deceive.     Thus  was  the  ape, 

By  their  faire  handling,^  put  into  Malbeccoes  cape. 

3>  Now,  when  of  meats  and  drinks  they  had  their  fill, 
Purpose  was  moved  *  by  that  gentle  dame 
Unto  those  knights  adventurous,  to  tell 
Of  deeds  of  armes  which  unto  them  became,® 
And  every  one  his  kindred  and  his  name. 
Then  Paridell,  in  whom  a  kindly  ®  pride 
Of  gratious  speach  and  skill  his  words  to  frame 


1  I.  e.  wine  beinn;  profanely  used  to  symbolize  unlawful  love. 

2  Raut/ht,  reached.  5  Became,  lia])pened. 
8  Ilumllhifj,  manajiement.  6  Kimlly,  natural. 

■•  I.  e.  a  proposition  was  made. 


to  Helen,  Hellenore's  prototype.     Ovid.  Epist.  XVII.  75,  cited  by 
Upton.     C. 

XXXI.  8.  —  Tims  w/is  the  ape.  Sec]     To  put  an  ap«  into  one's 
hood  or  cap,  is  a  proverbial  expression  for  making  a  fool  of  him. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IX.  351 

Abounded,  being  yglad  of  so  fitte  tide  ^ 
Hiin  to  commend  to  her,  thus  spake,  of  al  well  aide : 

83  "  Troy,  that  art  now  nought  but  an  idle  name, 
And  in  thine  ashes  buried  low  dost  lie, 
Though  whilome  far  much  greater  then  thy  fame, 
Before  that  angry  gods  and  cruell  skie 

Upon  thee  lieapt  a  direfuU  destinie  ; 
What  boots  it  boast  thy  glorious  descent. 
And  fetch  from  heven  thy  great  genealogie, 
Sith  all  thy  worthie  prayses  being  blent, 
Their  ofspring  hath  embaste,  and  later  glory  shent! 

84  "  Most  famous  worthy  of  the  world,  by  whome 
That  warre  was  kindled  which  did  Troy  inflame. 
And  stately  towres  of  Ilion  whilome 

Brought  unto  balefuU  mine,  was  by  name 
Sir  Paris  fur  renowmd  through  noble  fame ; 
Who,  through  great  prowesse  and  bold  hardinesse. 
From  Lacedfemon  fetcht  the  fayrest  dame 
That  ever  Greece  did  boast,  or  knight  possesse, 
Whom  Venus  to  him  erave  for  meed  of  worthinesse  : 


to'- 


35  "  Fayre  Helene,  flowre  of  beautie  excellent. 
And  girlond  of  the  mighty  conquerours, 
That  madest  many  ladies  deare  ^  lament 

1  7Me,  time.  2  Beare,  dearly. 


XXXIII.  8,  9.  — "  Since  the  stain  which  has  come  upon  thine 
ancient  renown  lias  disgraced  the  offspring  of  thy  great  ancestors, 
and  sullied  thy  glory  in  later  times."     C. 


352  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

The  heavie  losse  of  their  brave  paramours, 
Which  they  far  off  beheld  from  Troian  toures, 
And  saw  the  fieldes  of  faire  Scamander  strowne 
With  carcases  of  noble  warrioures, 
Whose  fruitlesse  lives  were  under  furrow  sowne, 
And   Xanthus  sandy  bankes   with   blood   all   over- 
flowne ! 

36  "  From  him  my  linage  I  derive  aright, 

Who  long  before  the  ten  yeares  siege  of  Troy, 

Whiles  yet  on  Ida  he  a  shepeheard  bight, 

On  faire  Oenone  got  a  lovely  boy, 

Whom,  for  remembrance  of  her  passed  ioy, 

She,  of  his  father,  Parius  did  name ; 

Who,  after  Greekes  did  Priams  realrae  destroy, 

Gathred  the  Troian  reliques  sav'd  from  flame, 

And,  witli  them  sayling  thence,  to  th'  isle  of  Paros 
came. 

d7  "  That  was  by  him  cald  Pai-os,  which  before 
Hight  Nausa ;  there  he  many  yeares  did  raine, 
And  built  Nausicle  by  the  Pontick  shore ; 
The  which  he  dying  lefte  next  in  remains 
To  Paridas  his  sonne, 
From  whom  I,  Paridell,  by  kin  descend : 
But,  for  faire  ladies  love  and  glories  gaine, 


XXXV.  9.  —  Xanthus.]  Scamander  and  Xanthus  are  different 
names  of  the  same  river.  He  should  have  said  Scamander  and 
Simois. 

XXXVI.  4  —  On  fnire  Oenone,  &;c.]  Paris  had  a  son  by 
Oenone,  a  nymph  of  Mount  Ida,  before  he  went  to  Sparta.  The 
rest  of  this  narrative  is  the  poet's  own  invention.    H. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IX.  353 

My  native  soile  have  lefte,  my  dayes  to  spend 
In  seewing  *  deeds  of  amies,  my  lives  and  labors  end." 

38  Whenas  the  noble  Britomart  heard  tell 
Of  Troian  warres  and  Priams  citie  sackt, 
(The  ruefull  story  of  Sir  Paridell,) 

She  was  empassiond  ^  at  that  piteous  act, 
With  zelous  envy  ^  of  Greekes  cruell  fact  * 
Against  that  nation,  from  whose  race  of  old 
She  heard  that  she  was  lineally  extract : 
For  noble  Britons  sprong  from  Troians  bold. 
And  Troynovant^  was  built  of  old  Troyes  ashes  cold. 

39  Then,  sighing  soft  awhile,  at  last  she  thus : 
"  O  lamentable  fall  of  famous  towne, 
Which  raignd  so  many  yeares  victorious, 
And  of  all  Asie  bore  the  soveraine  crowne. 

In  one  sad  night  consumd  and  throwen  downe  ! 
What  stony  hart,  that  heares  thy  haplesse  fate, 
Is  not  empierst  with  deepe  compassiowne. 
And  makes  ensample  of  mans  wretched  state. 
That  floures  so  fresh  at  morne,  and  fades  at  evening 
late ! 

40  "  Behold,  Sir,  how  your  pitifull  complaint 
Hath  fownd  another  partner  of  your  payne : 
For  nothing  may  impresse  so  deare  constraint 
As  countries  cause,  and  commune  foes  disdayne. 


1  Seenmg,  pursuing.  *  Fact,  deed. 

^  Empassiond,  moved.  ^  Troynovant,  Londou 

8  Envy,  indignation. 
VOL.  II.  23 


354  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But,  if  it  should  not  grieve  you  backe  agayne 
To  turne  your  course,  I  would  to  heare  desyre 
What  to  Aeneas  fell;  sith  that  men  sayne^ 
He  was  not  in  the  cities  wofuU  fyre 
Consum'd,  but  did  himselfe  to  safety  retyre." 

41  "  Anchyses  sonne,  begott  of  Venus  fayre," 
Said  he,  ''  out  of  the  flames  for  safegard  fled, 
And  with  a  remnant  did  to  sea  repayre  ; 
Where  he,  through  fatall  errour,-  long  was  led 
Full  many  yeares,  and  weetlesse^  wandered 
From  shore  to  shore  emongst  the  Lybick  sandes, 
Ere  rest  he  fownd.     Much  there  he  suffered. 
And  many  perilles  past  in  forreine  landes. 

To  save  his  people  sad  from  victours  vengefull  handes. 

42  "  At  last  in  Latium  he  did  arryve, 

Where  he  with  cruell  warre  was  entex'taind* 
Of  th'  inland  folke  which  sought  him  backe  to  drive, 
Till  he  with  old  Latinus  was  constraind 
To  contract  wedlock,  so  the  Fates  ordaind  ; 
Wedlocke  contract  in  blood,  and  eke  in  blood 
Accomplished,  that  many  deare  complaind  : 
The  rivall  slaine,  the  victour  (through  the  flood 
Escaped  hardly)  hardly  praisd  his  wedlock  good. 

43  "  Yet,  after  all,  he  victour  did  survive, 
And  with  Latinus  did  the  kingdom  part : 
But  after,  when  both  nations  gan  to  strive 


Sayne,  say.  8  Weethsse,  unknowing 

2  Falall  errour,  predestined  wandering.    4  Entertaind,  received. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IX.  3i>0 

Into  their  names  the  title  to  convart, 
His  Sonne  liilus  did  from  thence  depart 
With  all  the  warlike  youth  of  Troians  bloud, 
And  in  Long  Alba  plast  his  throne  apart ; 
Where  faire  it  fiorished  and  long  time  stoud, 
Till  Romulus,  renewing  it,  to  Rome  remoud."^ 

44  "  There,  there,"  said  Rritomart,  "  afresh  appeard 
The  glory  of  the  later  world  to  spring, 

And  Troy  againe  out  of  her  dust  was  reard 
To  sitt  in  second  seat  of  sovei'aine  king 
Of  all  the  world,  under  her  governing. 
But  a  third  kingdom  yet  is  to  arise 
Out  of  the  Troians  scattered  ofspring, 
That,  in  all  glory  and  great  enterprise, 
Both  first  and  second  Troy  shall  dare  to  equalise. 

45  "  It  Troynovant  is  hight,  that  with  the  waves 
Of  wealthy  Thamis  washed  is  along, 

Upon  whose  stubborne  neck  (whereat  he  raves- 
With  roring  rage,  and  sore  himselfe  does  throng,. 
That  all  men  feare  to  tempt  his  billowes  strong) 
She  fastned  hath  her  foot ;  which  standes  so  hy, 
That  it  a  wonder  of  the  world  is  song 
In  forreine  landes  ;  and  all  which  passen  by. 
Beholding  it  from  farre,  doe  thinke  it  threates  the  skye. 

46  "  The  Troian  Brute  did  first  that  citie  fownd, 
And  Hygate  made  the  meare  ^  thereof  by  west, 
And  Overt-gate  by  north  :  that  is  the  bownd 

1  Remmid,  removed.  2  Meare,  boundary. 


356  THE    FAEUIE    QUEENE. 

Toward  the  land ;  two  rivers  bownd  the  rest. 
So  huge  a  scope  at  first  him  seemed  best, 
To  be  the  corapasse  of  his  kingdomes  seat : 
So  huge  a  mind  could  not  in  lesser  rest, 
Ne  in  small  nieares  containe  his  glory  great, 
That  Albion  had  conquered  first  by  w'arlike  feat." 

4''  "  Ah  !  fairest  Lady-Knight,"  said  Paridell, 
"  Pardon  I  pray  my  heedlesse  oversight, 
Who  had  forgot  that  whylome  I  hard  tell 
From  aged  Mnemon  ;  for  my  wits  beene  light. 
Indeed  he  said,  if  I  remember  right. 
That  of  the  antique  Troian  stocke  there  grew 
Another  plant,  that  raught  to  wondrous  hight, 
And  far  abroad  his  mightie  braunches  threw 

Into  the  utmost  angle  of  the  world  he  knew. 


o 


48  "  For  that  same  Brute,  whom  much  he  did  advaunce 
In  all  his  speach,  was  Sylvius  his  sonne, 

Whom  having  slain  through  lucklesarrowes  glaunce, 
He  fled  for  feare  of  that  he  had  misdonne. 
Or  els  for  shame,  so  fowle  reproch  to  shonne, 
And  with  him  ledd  to  sea  an  youthly  trayne  ; 
Where  wearie  wandring  they  long  time  did  wonne,^ 
And  many  fortunes  prov'd  in  th'  ocean  mayne. 
And  great  adventures  found,  that  now  were  long  to 
sayne. 

49  "  At  last  by  fatall  course  they  driven  were 
Into  an  island  spatious  and  brode, 

1  Wonne,  continue. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    IX.  357 

The  furthest  north  that  did  to  them  appears : 
Which,  after  rest,  they,  seeking  farre  abrode, 
Found  it  the  fittest  soyle  for  their  abode, 
Fruitful!  of  all  thinges  fitt  for  living  foode, 
But  wholy  waste  and  void  of  peoples  trode,* 
Save  an  huge  nation  of  the  geaunts  broode 
That  fed  on  living  flesh,  and  dronck  mens  vitall  blood. 

60  "  Whom  he,  through  wearie  wars  and  labours  long, 
Subdewd  with  losse  of  many  Britons  bold : 
In  which  the  great  Goeraagot  of  strong 
Corineus,  and  Coulin  of  Debon  old. 
Were  overthrowne  and  laide  on  th'  earth  full  cold, 
Which  quaked  under  their  so  hideous  masse : 
A  famous  history  to  bee  enrold 
In  everlasting  moniments  of  brasse, 

That  all  the  antique  worthies  merits  far  did  passe. 

51  "  His  worke  great  Troynovant,  his  worke  is  eke 
Faire  Lincolne,  both  renowmed  far  away  ; 
That  who  from  east  to  west  will  endlong  seeke, 
Cannot  two  fairer  cities  find  this  day, 

Except  Cleopolis  ;  so  heard  I  say 
Old  Mnemon  !  —  Therefore,  Sir,^  I  greet  you  well 
Your  countrey  kin^  ;  and  you  entyrely  *  pray 
Of  pardon  for  the  strife  which  late  befell 
Betwixt  us  both  unknowne."     So  ended  Paridell. 

52  But  all  the  while  that  he  these  speeches  spent, 
Upon  his  lips  hong  faire  Dame  Hellenore, 

1  Trade,  tread,  footstep.  *  Entyrely,  sincerely. 

2  He  addresses  her  as  a  knight. 

8  I.  0.  I  welcoTie  you  for  a  countryman. 


858  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

"With  vigilant  regard  and  dew  attent,^ 
Fashioning  worldes  of  fancies  evermore 
In  her  fraile  vvitt,  that  now  her  quite  forlore^; 
The  whiles  unwares  away  her  wondring  eye 
And  greedy  eares  her  weake  hart  from  her  bore 
Which  he  perceiving,  ever  privily, 
In  speaking,  many  false  belgardes  '  at  her  let  fly. 

53  So  long  these  knightes  discoursed  diversly 
Of  straunge  alFaires,  and  noble  hardiraent, 
Which  they  had  past  with  mickle  ieopardy. 
That  now  the  humid  night  was  farforth  spent, 
And  hevenly  lampes  were  halfendeale  *  ybrent  *  : 
Which  th'  old  man  seeing  wel,  who  too  long  thought 
Every  discourse,  and  every  argument, 
Which  by  the  houres  he  measured,  besought 

Them  go  to  rest.     So  all  unto  their  bowres  ®  were 
brought. 

1  Attent,  attention.  *  Halfendeale,  the  half  part. 

3  Forlore,  deserted.  6  Ybrent,  burned. 

8  Belgardes,  sweet  glances.  6  Boiores,  chambers. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    X.  oo9 


CANTO    X. 

Paridell  rapeth  Hellenore ; 

Malbecco  her  poursewes; 
Fynds  emongst  Satyres,  whence  with  him 

To  turne  she  doth  refuse. 

1  The  morow  next,  so  soone  as  Phoebus  lamp 
Bewrayed  had  the  world  with  early  light, 
And  fresh  Aurora  had  the  shady  damp 
Out  of  the  goodly  heven  amoved  quight, 
Faire  Britomart  and  that  same  Faery  Knight 
Uprose,  forth  on  their  iourney  for  to  wend : 
But  Paridell  coraplaynd,  that  his  late  fight 
With  Britomart  so  sore  did  him  offend, 

That  ryde  he  could  not  till  his  hurts  he  did  amend. 

2  So  foorth  they  far'd ;  but  he  behind  them  stayd, 
Maulgre  his  host,  who  grudged  grivously 

To  house  a  guest  that  would  be  needes  obayd, 
And  of  his  owne  him  left  not  liberty  : 
Might  wanting  measure  moveth  surquedry. 
Two  things  he  feared,  but  the  third  was  death  ; 
That  tiers  young  mans  unruly  maystery ; 
His  money,  which  he  lov'd  as  living  breath  ; 
And  his  faire  wife,  whom  honest  long  he  kept  uncath.^ 

1  Uneaih,  with  difficulty. 


n.    5.  —  Might  wanting  measure,  &c.]      Power  unrestrained 
'eads  to  insolence. 


3G0  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

3  But  patience  perforce  ;  he  must  abie  ^ 
What  fortune  and  his  fate  on  him  will  lay : 
Fond  is  the  feare  that  findes  no  remedie. 
Yet  warily  he  watcheth  every  way, 

By  which  he  feareth  evill  happen  may ; 
So  th'  evill  thinkes  by  watching  to  prevent : 
Ne  doth  he  suffer  her,  nor  night  nor  day, 
Out  of  his  sight  herselfe  once  to  absent : 
So  doth  he  punish  her,  and  eke  himselfe  torment 

4  But  Pai'idell  kept  better  watch  then  hee, 
A  fit  occasion  for  his  turne  to  finde. 

False  Love!  Avhy  do  men  say  thou  canst  not  see, 
And  in  their  foolish  fancy  feigne  thee  blinde, 
That  witli  thy  charmes  the  sharpest  sight  doest  binde, 
And  to  thy  will  abuse  ?     Thou  walkest  free, 
And  seest  every  secret  of  the  minde ; 
Thou  seest  all,  yet  none  at  all  sees  thee  : 
All  that  is  by  the  working  of  thy  deitee. 

6  So  perfect  in  that  art  was  Paridell, 
That  he  Malbeccoes  halfen  eye  ^  did  wyle ; 
His  halfen  eye  he  wiled  wondrous  well. 
And  Hellenors  both  eyes  did  eke  beguyle. 
Both  eyes  and  hart  attonce,  during  the  whyle 
That  he  there  soiourned  his  woundes  to  heale ; 
That  Cupid  selfe,  it  seeing,  close  ^  did  smyle 

1  Abie,  abide.  8  Close,  secretly. 

2  Halfen  eye,  his  one  "  blincked"  or  imperfect  eye. 

III.    1. — But  patience  perforce.]      A   proverb    equivalent    to 
"What  can't  be  cured  must  be  endured." 


nOOK   III.      CANTO    X.  361 

To  weet  how  he  her  love  away  did  steale, 
And  bad  tliat  none  their  ioyous  treason  should  reveale. 

6  The  learned  ^  lover  lost  no  time  nor  tyde 
That  least  avantage  mote  to  him  afford, 
Yet  bore  so  faire  a  sayle,  that  none  espyde 
His  secret  drift  till  he  her  layd  abord. 
Whenso  in  open  place  and  commune  bord^ 
He  fortun'd  her  to  meet,  with  commune  speach 
He  courted  her  ;  yet  bayted  every  word. 
That  his  ungentle  hoste  n'ote^  him  appeach 

Of  vile  ungentlenesse  or  hospitages  breach. 

7  But  when  apart,  (if  ever  her  apart 

He  found,)  then  his  false  engins  fast  he  plyde, 
And  all  the  sleights  unbosomd  in  his  hart : 
H5  sigh'd,  he  sobd,  he  swownd,  he  perdy  dyde. 
And  cast  himselfe  on  ground  her  fast  besyde : 
Tho,  when  againe  he  him  bethought  to  live, 
He  wept,  and  wayld,  and  false  laments  belyde,* 
Saying,  but  if  she  mercie  would  him  give. 
That  he  mote  algates®  dye,  yet  did  his  death  forgive. 

s  And  otherwhyles  with  amorous  delights 
And  pleasing  toyes  he  would  her  entertaine ; 
Now  singing  sweetly  to  surprize  her  sprights. 
Now  making  layes  of  love  and  lovers  paine, 
Bransles,®  ballads,  virelayes,'^  and  verses  vaine ; 

1  Learned,  i.  e.  skilful.  6  Aigaies,  at  all  events. 

2  Bord,  table.  6  Bramles,  brawls,  dancing-tunes. 
8  N'ote,  might  not.  '  Vir-elayes,  a  sort  of  rondeau. 

*  Belyde,  counterfeited. 


362  TIIK    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Oft  pirposes,  oft  riddles,  he  devysd, 
And  thousands  like  which  flowed  in  his  braine, 
With  which  he  fed  her  fancy,  and  entysd 
To  take  to  his  new  love,  and  leave  her  old  despysd. 

9  And  every  where  he  might  and  everie  while 
He  did  her  service  dewtifuU,  and  sewd 

At  hand  with  humble  pride  and  pleasing  guile ; 
So  closely  yet,  that  none  but  slie  it  vewd, 
Who  well  perceived  all,  and  all  indewd.^ 
Thus  finely  did  he  his  false  nets  dispred. 
With  which  he  many  weake  harts  had  subdewd 
Of  yore,  and  many  had  ylike  misled  : 
^Vliat  wonder  then  if  she  were  likewise  carried? 

10  No  fort  so  fensible,  no  wals  so  strong, 
But  that  continuall  battery  will  rive, 

Or  daily  siege,  through  dispurvayaunce  ^  long 
And  lacke  of  reskewes,  will  to  parley  drive ; 
And  peece^  that  unto  parley  eare  will  give, 
Will  shortly  yield  itselfe,  and  will  be  made 
The  vassall  of  the  victors  will  bylive  * : 
That  stratageme  had  oftentimes  assayd 
This  crafty  paramoure,  and  now  it  plaine  displayd: 

1  I.  e.  took,  or  applierl  to  herself.  ^  Peece,  cnstle. 

-  Dlqmrvnyaunce,  want  of  provisions.  ■•  Bylive,  quickly. 

Vin.  6.  —  Purposes  means  the  game  of  cross-purposes,  or 
questions  and  answers.  A  knowledge  of  riddles  seems  to  have 
been  an  iiccomplisliment  so  necessary  to  the  character  of  a  lover, 
that  Slender,  in  the  Merry  Wives  of  Windsor,  is  greatly  distressed 
on  finding,  when  he  is  introduced  to  Anne  Page,  that  his  man  had 
lot  his  Book  of  Ruldles  about  him.  —  Todd. 


BOOK   III.       CANTO    X.  363 

11  For  through  his  traines  ^  he  her  intrapped  hath, 
That  she  her  love  and  hart  hath  wholy  sold 

To  hira  without  regard  of  gaine,  or  scath,^ 
Or  care  of  credite,  or  of  husband  old, 
Whom  she  hath  vow'd  to  dub  a  fayre  cucquold. 
Nought  wants  but  time  and  place,  which  shortly  shee 
Devized  hath,  and  to  her  lover  told. 
Tt  pleased  well :  so  well  they  both  agree ; 
So  readie  rype  to  ill,  ill  wemens  counsels  bee ! 

12  Darke  was  the  evening,  fit  for  lovers  stealth ; 
When  chaunst  Malbecco  busie  be  elsewhere, 
She  to  his  closet  went,  where  all  his  wealth 

Lay  hid  ;  thereof  she  countlesse  summes  did  reare,* 
The  which  she  meant  away  with  her  to  beare ; 
The  rest  she  fyr'd,  for  sport  or  for  despight : 
As  Hellene,  when  she  saw  aloft  appeare 
The  Troiane  flames  and  reach  to  hevens  hight, 
Did  clap  her  hands,  and  ioyed  at  that  dolefuU  sight. 

13  Tills  second  Helene,  fayre  Dame  Hellenore, 
The  whiles  her  husband  ran  with  sory  haste 

To  quench  the  flames  which  she  had  tyn'd*  before, 
Laught  at  his  foolish  labour  spent  in  waste, 
And  ran  into  her  lovers  armes  right  fast ; 
Where  streight  embraced  she  to  hira  did  cry 
And  call  alowd  for  helpe,  ere  helpe  were  past ; 
For  lo  !  that  guest  did  beare  her  forcibly, 
And  meant  to  ravish  her,  that  rather  had  to  dy ! 


1  Traines,  stratagems.  8  Renre,  take  away. 

2  Scadi,  injury.  4  Tyn'd,  kindled. 


364  THE    KAERIE    QUEENE. 

14  The  wretched  man,  hearing  her  call  for  ayd, 
And  ready  seeing  him  with  her  to  fly, 

In  his  disquiet  mind  was  much  dismay d : 
But  when  againe  he  backeward  cast  his  eye, 
And  saw  the  wicked  fire  so  furiously 
Consume  his  hart,  and  scorch  his  idoles  face, 
He  was  therewith  distressed  diversely, 
Ne  wist  he  how  to  turne,  nor  to  what  place  : 
Was  never  wretched  man  in  such  a  wofull  cace. 

15  Ay  when  to  him  she  cryde,  to  her  he  turnd, 
And  left  the  fire ;  love,  money  overcame : 
But  when  he  marked  how  his  money  burnd, 
He  left  his  wife  ;  money  did  love  disclame : 
Both  was  he  loth  to  loose  his  loved  dame, 
And  loth  to  leave  his  liefest  ^  peU'e  behinde  ; 
Yet,  sith  he  n'ote  ^  save  both,  he  sav'd  that  same 
Which  was  the  dearest  to  his  dounghill  minde, 

The  god  of  his  desire,  the  ioy  of  misers  blinde. 

16  Thus  whilest  all  things  in  troublous  uprore  were, 
And  all  men  busie  to  suppresse  the  flame, 

The  loving  couple  neede  no  reskew  feare. 
But  leasure  had  and  liberty  to  frame 
Their  purpost  flight,  free  from  all  mens  reclame ; 
And  Night,  the  patronesse  of  love-stealth  fayre, 
Gave  them  safe  conduct  till  to  end  they  came: 
So  beene  they  gone  yfere,^  a  wanton  payre 
Of  lovers  loosely  knit,  where  list  them  to  repayre. 


1  Liefest,  dearest.  8  Yjere,  together. 

2  AVie,  could  not 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    X.  365 

17  Soone  as  the  cruell  flames  yslaked  were, 
Malbecco,  seeing  how  his  losse  did  lye, 
Out  of  the  flames  which  he  had  quencht  whylere,^ 
Into  huge  waves  of  griefe  and  gealosye 
Full  deepe  emplonged  was,  and  drowned  nye 
Twixt  inward  doole  ^  and  felonous  despight : 
He  rav'd,  he  wept,  he  stampt,  he  lowd  did  cry ; 
And  all  the  passions,  that  in  man  may  light, 

Did  him  attonce  oppresse,  and  vex  his  caytive  spright. 

IS  Long  thus  he  chawd  the  cud  of  inward  griefe. 
And  did  consume  his  gall  with  anguish  sore : 
Still  when  he  mused  on  his  late  mischiefe, 
Then  still  the  smart  thereof  increased  more, 
And  seemd  more  grievous  then  it  Avas  before : 
At  last,  when  sorrow  he  saw  booted  nought, 
Ne  griefe  might  not  his  Love  to  him  restore, 
He  gan  devise  how  her  he  reskew  mought ; 

Ten  thousand  wayes  he  cast  in  his  confused  thought 

19  At  last  resolving,  like  a  pilgrim  pore. 

To  search  her  forth  whereso  she  might  be  fond, 
And  bearing  him  with  treasui'e  in  close  store, 
The  rest  he  leaves  in  ground.     So  takes  in  bond  ^ 
To  seeke  her  endlong  *  both  by  sea  and  lond. 
Long  he  her  sought,  he  sought  her  far  and  nere. 
And  every  where  that  he  mote  understond 
Of  knights  and  ladies  any  meetings  were  ; 

A.nd  of  each  one  he  mett  he  tidings  did  inquere. 


1  Whylere,  beforo.  8  Talces  in  hond,  undertakes. 

2  Doole,  grid'.  *  Endlong,  in  a  continued  course. 


366  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

20  But  all  in  vaine  ;  his  woman  was  too  wise 
Evei'  to  come  into  his  clouch  againe, 
And  hee  too  simple  ever  to  surprise 

The  ioUy  Paridell,  for  all  his  paine. 
One  day,  as  hee  forpassed  ^  by  the  plaine 
"With  weary  pace,  he  far  away  espide 
A  couple,  seeming  well  to  be  his  twaine, 
Which  hoved  ^  close  under  a  forest  side, 
As  if  they  lay  in  wait,  or  els  themselves  did  hide. 

21  "Well  weened  hee  that  those  the  same  mote  bee ; 
And,  as  he  better  did  their  shape  avize,' 

Him  seemed  more  their  maner  did  agree  ; 
For  th'  one  was  armed  all  in  warlike  wize, 
"Whom  to  be  Paridell  he  did  devize  ; 
And  th'  other,  al  yclad  in  garments  Hght 
Discolourd*  like  to  womanish  disguise, 
He  did  resemble  ^  to  his  lady  bright ; 
And  ever  his  faint  hart  much  earned  ®  at  the  sight. 

22  Aed  ever  faine  he  towards  them  would  goe, 
But  yet  durst  not  for  dread  approchen  nie, 
But  stood  aloofe,  unweeting  what  to  doe ; 
Till  that  pi'ickt  forth  with  loves  extremity, 
That  is  the  father  of  fowle  gealosy, 

He  closely  nearer  crept  the  truth  to  weet : 
But,  as  he  nigher  drew,  he  easily 
Might  scerne  that  it  was  not  his  sweetest  sweet, 
Ne  yet  her  belaraour,''  the  partner  of  his  sheet : 

1  Foi-pnssed,  passed  along.  5  Resemble,  liken,  compare. 

2  lloved,  hovered,  lurked.  6  Earned,  yearned. 
8  Adze,  discern.  T  Bdaimur,  lover. 
*  hiMiilourd,  variouslv  colored. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    X.  367 

23  But  it  was  scornefull  Braggadoclno, 

That  with  his  servant  Trompart  hoverd  there, 
Sith  late  he  tied  from  his  too  earnest  foe : 
Whom  such  whenas  Malbecco  spyed  clere, 
He  turned  backe,  and  would  have  fled  arere  ^ ; 
Till  Trompart,  ronning  hastely,  him  did  stay, 
And  bad  before  his  soveraine  lord  appere  : 
That  was  him  loth,  yet  durst  he  not  gainesay, 
And,  comming  him  before,  low  louted-  on  the  lay.^ 

24  The  Boaster  at  him  sternely  bent  his  browe, 
As  if  he  could  have  kild  him  with  his  looke, 
That  to  the  ground  him  meekely  made  to  bowe, 
And  awfull  terror  deepe  into  liim  strooke. 
That  every  member  of  his  body  quooke. 

Said  he,  "  Thou  man  of  nought !   what  doest  thou 

here, 
Unfitly  furnisht  with  thy  bag  and  booke. 
Where  I  expected  one  with  shield  and  spere 
To  prove  some  deeds  of  armes  upon  an  equall  pere  ?  " 

25  The  wretched  man  at  his  imperious  speach 
Was  all  abasht,  and  low  prostrating  said : 

«  Good  Sir,  let  not  my  rudenes  *  be  no  breach 

Unto  your  patience,  ne  be  ill  ypaid  ^ ; 

For  I  unwares  this  way  by  fortune  straid, 

A  silly  ®  pilgrim  driven  to  distresse, 

That  seeke  a  Lady  —  "     There  he  suddein  sta 


A  Arere,  backward.  ■*  I.  e.  rusticity. 

2  Louted,  beut.  ^  /;;  yjxdd,  ill  apaid,  dissatisfied, 

8  Lay,  lea,  plain.  ^  Silly,  simple,  liurable. 


36»  THE    FAERIE    QUKKNIC. 

And  did  the  rest  with  grievous  sighes  suppresse, 
While  teares  stood  in  his  eies,  few  drops  of  bitternesse. 

S6  "  What  lady,  man  ?  "  said  Trompart,     "  Take  goo^i 
hart, 
And  tell  thy  griefe,  if  any  hidden  lye  : 
Was  never  better  time  to  shew^  thy  smart 
Then  now,  that  noble  succor  is  thee  by, 
That  is  the  whole  worlds  commune  remedy," 
That   chearful   word   his    weak   heart   much    did 

cheare, 
And  with  vaine  hope  his  spirits  faint  supply. 
That  bold  he  sayd :  "  O  most  redoubted  Pere, 

Vouchsafe  with  mild  regard  a  wretches  cace  to  heare." 

27  Then  sighing  sore,  "  It  is  not  long,"  saide  hee, 
"  Sith  I  enioyd  the  gentlest  dame  alive  ; 

Of  whom  a  knight,  (no  knight  at  all  perdee, 
But  shame  of  all  that  doe  for  honor  strive,) 
By  treacherous  deceipt  did  me  deprive  ; 
Through  open  outrage  he  her  bore  away, 
And  with  fowle  force  unto  his  will  did  drive  ; 
Which  al  good  knights,  that  armes  do  bear  this  day, 
Are  bownd  for  to  revenge  and  punish  if  they  may. 

28  "  And  you,  most  noble  Lord,  that  can  and  dare 
Redresse  the  wrong  of  miserable  wight. 
Cannot  employ  your  most  victorious  speare 

In  better  quarrell  then  defence  of  right. 
And  for  a  lady  gainst  a  faithlesse  knight : 
So  shall  your  glory  bee  advaunced  much, 
And  all  faire  ladies  magnify  your  might, 


.6 


BOOK    III.      CANTO    X.  369 

And  eke  myselfe,  al  bee  I  simple  such,^ 
Tour  worthy  paine  shall  wel  reward  with   guerdon 
rich." 

29  With  that,  out  of  his  bouget^  forth  he  drew 
Great  store  of  treasure,  therewith  him  to  tempt ; 
But  he  on  it  lookt  scornefully  askew, 

As  much  disdeigning  to  be  so  misdempt,^ 
Or  a  war-monger  *  to  be  basely  nempt,^ 
And  sayd  :  "  Thy  oflfers  base  I  greatly  loth, 
And  eke  thy  words  uncourteous  and  unkempt ' 
I  tread  in  dust  thee  and  thy  money  both  ; 
That,  were  it  not  for  shame  —  "    So  turned  from  him 
wroth. 

30  But  Trompart,  that  his  maistres  humor  knew 
In  lofty  looks  to  hide  an  humble  minde, 
Was  inly  tickled  with  that  golden  vew. 

And  in  his  eare  him  rownded'^  close  behinde  : 
Yet  stoupt  he  not,  but  lay  still  in  the  winde. 
Waiting  advauntage  on  the  pray  to  sease  ; 
Till  Trompart,  lowly  to  the  grownd  inchnde. 
Besought  him  his  great  corage  ^  to  appease. 
And  pardon  simple  man  that  rash  did  him  displease. 


1  I.  e.  altliough  I  am  so  humble.  6  Nempt,  named. 

2  Bmr/et,  budget,  pouch.  «  Unkempt,  uncombed,  rude. 
8  Misilempt,  misconceived.  ''  Roionded,  wliispered. 

4  War-mcmger,  mercenary  soldier.  8  Corage,  heart. 


XXX.  5.  —  Yet  stoupt  he  not,  &c.]  Braggadochio  did  not  stoop  to 
seize  his  prey,  but  remained  quiet  in  tlie  air,  —  an  image  derived 
from  falconry. 

vol,.  II.  24 


370  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

31  Big  looking  like  a  doughty  doucepere,* 

At  last  he  thus  :  "  Thou  clod  of  vilest  clay, 
I  pardon  yield,  and  with  thy  rudenes  beare  ; 
But  weete  henceforth,  that  all  that  golden  pray, 
And  all  that  els  the  vaine  world  vaunten  naay, 
1  loath  as  doung,  ne  deeme  my  dew  reward : 
Fame  is  my  meed,  and  glory  vertues  pay : 
But  minds  of  mortal  men  are  muchell  mard 
And  mov'd  amisse  with  massy  mucks  unmeet  regard 

32  "  And  more  ;  I  graunt  to  thy  great  misery 
Gratious  respect ;  thy  wife  shall  backe  be  sent : 
And  that  vile  knight,  whoever  that  he  bee, 
Which  hath  thy  lady  reft  and  knighthood  shent,^ 
By  Sanglaraort,^  my  sword,  whose  deadly  dent* 
The  blood  hath  of  so  many  thousands  shedd, 

I  sweare  ere  long  shall  dearly  it  repent ; 
Ne  he  twixt  heven  and  earth  shall  hide  his  hedd, 
But  soone  he  shal  be  fownd,  and  shortly  doen  be 
dedd.6» 

83  The  foolish  man  thereat  woxe  wondrous  blith, 
As  if  the  word  so  spoken  were  halfe  donne, 
And  humbly  thanked  him  a  thousand  sith,^ 
That  had  from  death  to  life  him  newly  wonne. 
Tho  forth  the  Boaster  marching  brave  begonne 
His  stolen  steed  to  thunder  furiously, 
As  if  he  heaven  and  hell  would  overonne, 

1  I.  e.  cliaiiipioi!,  like  one  of  the  twelve  peers  of  France. 

2  Skenl,  disgraced.  6  Doen  be  dedd,  put  to  death. 
»  I.  e.  Blood  and  Death.             «  Sith,  times. 

*  Dent^  stroke. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    X.  371 

And  all  the  world  confound  with  cruelty , 
That  much  Malbecco  ioyed  in  his  iollity. 

34  Thus  long  they  three  together  travelled, 

Through  many  a  wood  and  many  an  uncouth  v 
To  seeke  his  wife  that  was  far  wandered : 
But  those  two  sought  nought  but  the  present  pra_j , 
To  weete,  the  treasure  which  he  did  bewray,* 
On  which  their  eies  and  harts  were  wholly  sett, 
With  purpose  how  they  might  it  best  betray  ; 
For,  sith  the  howre  that  first  he  did  them  lett 

The  same  behold,  therwith  their  keene  desires  were 
whett. 

86  It  fortuned,  as  they  together  far'd, 

They  spide  where  Paridell  came  pricking  fast 
Upon  the  plaine,  the  which  himselfe  prepar'd 
To  giust  with  that  brave  straunger  knight  a  cast,. 
As  on  adventure  by  the  way  he  past : 
Alone  he  rode  without  his  paragone  ^ ; 
For,  having  filcht  her  bells,  her  up  he  cast 
To  the  wide  world,  and  let  her  fly  alone,  — 

He  nould  ^  be  clogd :  so  had  he  served  many  one. 

36  The  gentle  Lady,  loose  at  randon  lefte. 

The  greene-wood  long  did  walke,  and  wander  wide 
At  wilde  adventure,  like  a  forlorne  wefte^ ; 
Till  on  a  day  the  Satyres  her  espide 
Straying  alone  withouten  groome  or  guide : 

1  Bewray,  discover.  2  Paragmie,  companion. 

3  Nould,  would  not.  *  Wefte,  waif,  wanderer. 


372  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Her  up  they  tooke,  and  with  them  home  her  ledd, 
With  them  as  housewife  ever  to  abide, 
To  milk  their  gotes,  and  make  them  cheese  and 
bredd ; 
And  every  one  as  commune  good  her  handeled : 

3-  That  shortly  she  Malbecco  has  forgott, 
And  eke  Sir  Paridell,  all  ^  were  he  deare ; 
Who  from  her  went  to  seeke  another  lott, 
And  now  by  fortune  was  arrived  here, 
Where  those  two  guilers  with  Malbecco  were. 
Soone  as  the  old  man  saw  Sir  Paridell, 
He  fainted,  and  was  almost  dead  with  feare, 
Ne  word  he  had  to  speake  his  griefe  to  tell. 

But  to  him  louted  ^  low,  and  greeted  goodly  well ; 

8S  And,  after,  asked  him  for  Hellenore. 
"  I  take  no  keepe  ^  of  her,"  sayd  Paridell, 
"  She  wonneth  *  in  the  forrest  there  before." 
So  forth  he  rode  as  his  adventure  fell ; 
The  whiles  the  Boaster  from  his  loftie  sell** 
Faynd  to  alight,  something  amisse  to  mend ; 
But  the  fresh  swayne  would  not  his  leasure  dwell, 
But  went  his  way  ;  whom  when  he  passed  kend,* 

He  up  remounted  light,  and  after  faind  to  wend. 

usi  "  Perdy  nay,"  said  Malbecco,  "  shall  ye  not ; 
But  let  him  passe  as  lightly  as  he  came : 
For  litle  good  of  him  is  to  be  got, 

1  Ally  although.  4  Wonne.t%,  dwelletli. 

a  Loulul,  bent.  6  Ml,  saddle. 

"  I.  e.  I  have  no  concern.  «  /Tenc?,  perceived. 


HOOK    III.       CANTO    X.  373 

And  mickle  perill  to  bee  put  to  shame. 
But  let  us  goe  to  seeke  my  clearest  dame, 
Whom  he  hath  left  in  yonder  forest  wyld : 
For  of  her  safety  in  great  doubt  I  ame, 
Least  salvage  beastes  her  person  have  despoyld : 
Then  all  the  world  is  lost,  and  we  in  vaine  have  toyld ! " 

40  They  all  agree,  and  forward  them  addresse : 

"  Ah  !  but,"  said  crafty  Trompart,  "  weete  ye  well, 
That  yonder  in  that  wastefuU  wildernesse 
Huge  monstei's  haunt,  and  many  dangers  dwell ; 
Dragons,  and  minotaures,  and  feendes  of  hell, 
And  many  wilde  woodmen  which  robbe  and  rend 
All  travellers ;  therefore  advise  ye  well, 
Before  ye  entez-prise  that  way  to  wend : 
One  may  his  iourney  bring  too  soone  to  evill  end." 

41  Malbecco  stopt  in  great  astonishment, 
And,  with  pale  eyes  fast  fixed  on  the  rest, 
Their  counsell  crav'd  in  daunger  imminent. 
Said  Trompart :  "  You,  that  are  the  most  opprest 
With  burdein  of  great  treasure,  I  thinke  best 
Here  for  to  stay  in  safetie  behynd : 

My  Lord  and  I  will  search  the  wide  forest." 
That  counsell  pleased  not  Malbeccoes  mynd ; 
For  he  was  much  afraid  himselfe  alone  to  fynd. 

43  "  Then  is  it  best,"  said  he,  "  that  ye  doe  leave 
Your  treasure  here  in  some  security, 
Either  fast  closed  in  some  hollow  greave,^ 

1  Greave,  grove,  tree. 


374  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Or  buried  in  the  ground  from  ieopardy, 
Till  we  retunie  againe  in  safety : 
As  for  us  two,  least  doubt  of  us  ye  have, 
Hence  farre  away  we  will  blyndfolded  ly, 
Ne  privy  bee  unto  your  treasures  grave." 
It  pleased :  so  he  did :  then  they  mai'ch  forward  brave. 

43  Now  when  amid  the  thickest  woodes  they  were. 
They  heard  a  noyse  of  many  bagpipes  shrill, 
And  shrieking  hububs  ^  them  approching  nere. 
Which  all  the  forest  did  with  horrour  fill : 
That  dreadfuU  sound  the  Bosters  hart  did  thrill 
With  such  amazment,  that  in  hast  he  fledd, 

Ne  ever  looked  back  for  good  or  ill ; 
And  after  him  eke  fearefuU  Trompart  spedd : 
The  old  man  could  not  fly,  but  fell  to  ground  half  dedd : 

44  Yet  afterwardes,  close  creeping  as  he  might. 
He  in  a  bush  did  hyde  his  fearefull  hedd. 
The  iolly  Satyres  full  of  fresh  delight 

Came  dauncing  forth,  and  with  them  nimbly  ledd 
Faire  Helenore  with  girlonds  all  bespredd, 
AVhom  their  May -lady  they  had  newly  made  : 
She,  proude  of  that  new  honour  which  they  redd,^ 
And  of  their  lovely  fellowship  full  glade, 
Daunst  lively,  and  her  face  did  with  a  lawrell  shade. 

15  The  silly  man  that  in  the  thickett  lay 
Saw  all  this  goodly  sport,  and  grieved  sore  ; 
Yet  durst  he  not  against  it  doe  or  say, 

1  Hvbubs,  hubbubs,  confused  cries. 

2  Redd,  declared,  bestowed. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    X.  375 

But  did  his  hart  with  bitter  thoughts  engore,^ 
To  see  th'  unkindnes  of  his  Hellenore. 
All  day  they  daunced  with  great  lustyhedd,^ 
And  with  their  horned  feet  the  greene  gras  wore ; 
The  whiles  their  gotes  upon  the  brouzes^  fedd, 
Till  drouping  Phoebus  gan  to  hyde  his  golden  hedd. 

46  Tho  up  they  gan  their  mery  pypes  to  trusse, 
And  all  their  goodly  heardes  did  gather  rownd; 
But  every  Satyre  first  did  give  a  busse 

To  Hellenore  ;  so  busses  did  abound. 
Now  gan  the  humid  vapour  shed  the  grownd 
"With  perly  deaw,  and  th'  Earthes  gloomy  shade 
Did  dim  the  brightnesse  of  the  welkin  rownd, 
That  every  bird  and  beast,  awarned,  made 
To  shrowd  themselves,  whiles  sleepe  their  sences  did 
invade. 

47  Which  when  Malbecco  saw,  out  of  his  bush 
Upon  his  hands  and  feete  he  crept  full  light, 
And  like  a  gote  emongst  the  gotes  did  rush ; 
That,  through  the  helpe  of  his  faire  homes  on  hight, 
And  misty  dampe  of  misconcey  ving  night, 

And  eke  through  likenesse  of  his  gotish  beai'd, 
He  did  the  better  counterfeite  aright : 
So  home  he  marcht  emongst  the  horned  heard, 
That  none  of  all  the  Satyres  him  espyde  or  heard. 

1  Engore,  pierce.        2  Lustyhedd,  lustiness.        ^  Bronzes,  twigs. 


XL  VII.  4.  —  nis  faire  homes.]  His  imaginary  horns  were  now 
become  real  horns.  This  is  the  beginning  of  his  transforma- 
tion. —  Upton. 


376  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

48  At  night,  when  all  they  went  to  sleeps,  he  vewd, 
Whereas  his  lovely  wife  emongst  them  lay, 
Embraced  of  a  Satyre  rough  and  rude. 
Who  all  the  night  did  minde  his  ioyous  play  : 
Nine  times  he  heard  him  come  aloft  ere  day, 
That  all  his  hart  with  gealosy  did  swell ; 
But  yet  that  nights  ensample  did  bewray 
That  not  for  nought  his  wife  them  loved  so  well. 

When  one  so  oft  a  night  did  ring  his  matins  bell. 

(9  So  closely  as  he  could  he  to  them  crept, 

When  wearie  of  their  sport  to  sleepe  they  fell. 
And  to  his  wife,  that  now  full  soundly  slept. 
He  whispered  in  her  eare,  and  did  her  tell. 
That  it  was  he  which  by  her  side  did  dwell ; 
And   therefore   prayd   her    wake    to    heare    him 

plain  e. 
As  one  out  of  a  dreame  not  waked  well 
She  turnd  her,  and  returned  backe  againe : 
Yet  her  for  to  awake  he  did  the  more  constraine. 

60  At  last  with  irkesom  trouble  she  abrayd*  ; 
And  then  perceiving  that  it  was  indeed 
Her  old  Malbecco,  which  did  her  upbrayd 
With  loosenesse  of  her  love  and  loathly  deed, 
She  was  astonisht  with  exceeding  dreed, 
And  would  have  wakt  the  Satyre  by  her  syde  ; 
But  he  her  prayd  for  mercy  or  for  meed. 
To  save  his  life,  ne  let  him  be  descryde. 

But  hearken  to  his  lore,^  and  all  his  counsell  hyde. 

1  Abrayd,  awoke.  *  Lore,  advice. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    X.  377 

51  Tho  gan  he  her  perswade  to  leave  that  lewd 
And  loathsom  life,  of  God  and  man  abhord, 
And  home  returne,  where  all  should  be  renewd 
With  perfect  peace  and  bandes  of  fresh  accord, 
And  she  receivd  againe  to  bed  and  bord, 

As  if  no  trespas  ever  had  beene  donne  : 
But  she  it  all  refused  at  one  word, 
And  by  no  nieanes  would  to  his  will  be  wonne, 
But  chose  emongst  the  iolly  Satyres  still  to  wonne.^ 

52  He  wooed  her  till  day-spring  he  espyde ; 

But  all  in  vaine  :  and  then  turnd  to  the  heard, 
Who  butted  him  with  homes  on  every  syde. 
And  trode  downe  in    the   durt,    where   his    hore 

beard 
Was  fowly  dight,  and  he  of  death  afeard. 
Early,  before  the  heavens  fairest  hght 
Out  of  the  ruddy  East  was  fully  reard. 
The  heardes  out  of  their  foldes  were  loosed  quight. 
And  he  emongst  the  rest  crept  forth  in  sory  plight. 

63  So  soone  as  he  the  prison  dore  did  pas. 
He  ran  as  fast  as  both  his  feet  could  beare, 
And  never  looked  who  behind  him  was, 
Ne  scarsely  who  before  :  like  as  a  beare, 
That  creeping  close  amongst  the  hives  to  rears  * 
An  hony-combe,  the  wakefull  dogs  espy, 
And  him  assayling  sore  his  carkas  teare. 
That  hardly  he  with  life  away  does  fly, 

Ne  stayes,  till  safe  himselfe  he  see  from  ieopardy. 

1  Wmine,  dwell.  ^  Renre,  cavry  off. 


378  THE    KAERIE    QUEENR. 

54  Ne  stayd  he,  till  he  came  unto  the  place 
Where  late  his  treasure  he  entombed  had ; 
Where  when  he  found  it  not,  (for  Trompart  bace 
Had  it  purloyned  for  his  maister  bad,) 

With  extreme  fury  he  became  quite  mad, 
And  ran  away ;  ran  with  himselfe  away  : 
That  who  so  straungely  had  him  scene  bestadd,^ 
With  upstart  haire  and  staring  eyes  dismay, 
From  Limbo  lake  him  late  escaped  sure  would  say. 

55  High  over  hilles  and  over  dales  he  fledd. 

As  if  the  wind  him  on  his  winges  had  borne  ; 

Ne   banck   nor   bush    could   stay    him,   when   he 

spedd 
His  nimble  feet,  as  treading  still  on  thorne  : 
Griefe,  and  Despight,  and  Gealosy,  and  Scorne- 
Did  all  the  way  him  follow  hard  behynd  ; 
And  he  himselfe  himselfe  loath'd  so  forlorne,^ 
So  shamefully  forlorne  of  womankynd  : 
That,  as  a  snake,  still  lurked  in  his  wounded  mynd. 

56  Still  fled  he  forward,  looking  backward  still ; 
Ne  stayd  his  flight  nor  fearefuU  agony 

Till  that  he  came  unto  a  rocky  hill 
Over  the  sea  suspended  dreadfully. 
That  living  creature  it  would  terrify 
To  looke  adowne,  or  upward  to  the  hight : 
From  thence  he  threw  himselfe  dispiteously, 
All  desperate  of  his  fore-damned  spright. 
That  seemd  no  help  for  him  was  left  in  living  sight. 

1  Bestadd,  circumstanced.  2  Forlorne,  forsaken. 


UOOK    III.       CANTO    X.  379 

57  But,    through    long   anguish    and   selfe-raurdring 

thought, 
He  was  so  wasted  and  forpined  *  quight, 
That  all  his  substance  was  consum'd  to  nought, 
And  nothing  left  but  like  an  aery  spright ; 
That  on  the  rockes  he  fell  so  flit^  and  light. 
That  he  thereby  receiv'd  no  hurt  at  all ; 
But  chaunced  on  a  craggy  cliff  to  light. 
Whence  he  with  crooked  clawes  so  long  did  crall, 
That  at  the  last  he  found  a  cave  with  entrance  small : 

58  Into  the  same  he  creepes,  and  thenceforth  there 
Resolv'd  to  build  his  balefull  mansion, 

n  drery  darkenes  and  continuall  feare 
Of  that  rocks  fall,  which  ever  and  anon 
Threates  with  huge  ruine  him  to  fall  upon. 
That  he  dare  never  sleepe,  but  that  one  eye 
Still  ope  he  keepes  for  that  occasion ; 
Ne  ever  rests  he  in  tranquillity. 
The  roring  billowes  beat  his  bowre*  so  boystrously. 

59  Ne  ever  is  he  wont  on  ought  to  feed 

But  todes  and  fi'ogs,  his  pasture  poysonous, 
Which  in  his  cold  complexion  doe  breed 
A  filthy  blood,  or  humour  rancorous. 
Matter  of  doubt  and  dread  suspitious, 
That  doth  with  curelesse  care  consume  the  hart. 
Corrupts  the  stomacke  with  gall  vitious, 
Cros-cuts  the  liver  with  internall  smart, 
And  doth  transfixe  the  soule  with  deathes  eternalldart. 

1  Forpined,  pined  away.  8  Bomre,  abode. 

2  Flit,  unsubstantial. 


380  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

60  Yet  can  he  never  dye,  but  dying  lives, 

And  doth  himselfe  with  sorrow  new  sustaine, 
That  death  and  life  attonce  unto  him  gives, 
And  painefuU  pleasure  turnes  to  pleasing  paine. 
There  dwels  he  ever,  miserable  swaine, 
Hateful!  both  to  himselfe  and  every  wight ; 
Where  he,  through  privy  griefe  and  horrour  vainej 
Is  woxen  so  defoi'm'd  that  he  has  quight 

Forgot  he  was  a  man,  and  Gelosy  is  hight. 


BOOK    III.      CANTO    XI. 


381 


CANTO    XI. 

Britomart  chaceth  Ollyphant; 

Findes  Scudamour  distrest: 
Assayes  the  House  of  Busyraoe, 

Where  Loves  spoyles  are  exprest. 

1  0  HATEFULL  hellish  snake !  what  Furie  furst 
Brought  thee  from  balefull  house  of  Proserpine, 
Where  in  her  bosome  she  thee  long  had  nurst, 
And  fostred  up  with  bitter  milke  of  tine*  ; 
Fowle  Gealosy  !  that  turnest  love  divine 

To  ioylesse  dread,  and  mak'st  the  loving  hart 
With  hatefull  thoughts  to  languish  and  to  pine, 
And  feed  itselfe  with  selfe-consuming  smart, 
Of  all  the  passions  in  the  mind  thou  vilest  art ! 

2  O  let  him  far  be  banished  away, 

And  in  his  stead  let  Love  tor  ever  dwell ! 
Sweete  Love,  that  doth  his  golden  wings  embay 
In  blessed  nectar  and  pure  pleasures  well, 
Untroubled  of  vile  feare  or  bitter  fell.^ 
And  ye,  faire  Ladies,  that  your  kingdomes  make 
In  th'  harts  of  men,  them  governe  wisely  well. 
And  of  faire  Britomart  ensample  take, 
I'hat  was  as  trew  in  love  as  turtle  to  her  make.* 

1  Tine,  woe.  ^  ^e//,  gall 

2  Embay,  bathe.  *•  J/«^e,  mate 


S 


382  TOE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

3  Who  with  Sir  Satyrane,  as  earst  ye  red, 
Forth  ryding  from  Malbeccoes  hostlesse*  hous, 
Far  off  aspyde  a  young  man,  the  which  fled 
From  an  huge  Geaunt,  that  with  hideous 
And  hatefull  outrage  long  him  cLaced  thus ; 
It  was  that  Ollyphant,  the  brother  deare 
Of  that  Argante  vile  and  vitious, 
From  whom  the  Squyre  of  Dames  was  reft  whyl- 


ere*^ 


This  all  as  bad  as  she,  and  worse,  if  worse  ought  were. 

4  For  as  the  sister  did  in  feminine 
And  filthy  lust  exceede  all  woman  kinde  ; 
So  he  surpassed  his  sex  masculine. 
In  beastly  use,^  all  that  I  ever  finde  : 
Whom  when  as  Britomart  beheld  behinde 
The  fearefull  boy  so  greedily  poursew, 
She  was  emmoved  in  her  noble  minde 
T'  employ  her  puissaunce  to  his  reskew, 

And  pricked  fiercely  forward  where  she  did  him  vew. 

0  Ne  was  Sir  Satyrane  her  far  behinde. 
But  with  like  fiercenesse  did  ensew  *  the  chace  ; 
Whom  when  the  Gyaunt  saw,  he  soone  resinde 
His  former  suit,  and  from  them  fled  apace  : 
Tliey  after  both,  and  boldly  bad  him  bace, 

1  ITosilesse,  inhospitable.  8  J^e,  habits. 

2  Whylere,  lately.  •*  Ensew,  follow. 

III.  8.— Was  reft  whylere.]    See  Canto  VII.  Stanza  37. 
V.  6.  —  Bad  him  bace.]     That  is,  they  pursued  the  giant,  who 
had  been  pursuing  the  young  man     Tlie  expi-ession  is  derived 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XI,  883 

And  each  did  strive  the  other  to  outgoe ; 
But  he  them  both  outran  a  wondrous  space, 
For  he  was  long,  and  swift  as  any  roe, 
Ajid  now  made  better  speed  t'  escape  his  feared  foe. 

15  It  was  not  Satyrane,  whom  he  did  feare, 
But  Britomart  the  fiowre  of  chastity  ; 
For  he  the  powre  of  chaste  hands  might  not  beare, 
But  alwayes  did  their  dread  encounter  fiy : 
And  now  so  fast  his  feet  he  did  apply, 
That  he  has  gotten  to  a  forrest  neare. 
Where  he  is  shrowded  in  security. 
The  wood  they  enter,  and  search  everie  where  ; 

They  searched  diversely  ;  so  both  divided  were. 

1  Fayre  Britomart  so  long  him  followed, 
That  she  at  last  came  to  a  fountaine  sheare,* 
By  which  there  lay  a  Knight  all  wallowed 
Upon  the  grassy  ground,  and  by  him  neare 
His  haberieon,^  his  hehnet,  and  his  speare  : 
A  little  of,  his  shield  was  rudely  throwne, 
On  which  the  Winged  Boy  in  colours  cleare 
Depeincted  was,  full  easie  to  be  knowne, 

And  he  thereby,  wherever  it  in  field  was  showne. 

1  Sheare,  clear.  2  Eaberieon,  coat  of  mail. 


from  the  rustic  game  of  prison-base,  in  which  the  two  parties 
take  turns  in  chasing  each  other.  Tlie  meaning  here  is  illustrated 
by  a  passage  further  on : 

"  So  ran  they  all,  as  they  had  bene  Ht  bace. 
They  being  chased  that  ilid  others  chace.'" 

Book  V.  Canto  Vlll.  St.  5.     C. 


384  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

8  His  face  upon  the  grownd  did  groveling  ly, 
As  if  he  had  beene  slombring  in  the  shade  ; 
That  the  brave  Mayd  would  not  for  courtesy 
Out  of  his  quiet  slomber  him  abrade,* 

Nor  seeme  too  suddeinly  him  to  invade  : 
Still  as  she  stood,  she  heard  with  grievous  throb 
Him  grone,  as  if  his  hart  were  peeces  made. 
And  with  most  painefuU  pangs  to  sigh  and  sob, 
That  pitty  did  the  Virgins  hart  of  patience  rob. 

9  At  last  forth  breaking  into  bitter  plaintes 

He  sayd  :  "  0  soverayne  Lord,  that  sit'st  on  hye 
And  raignst  in  blis  emongst  thy  blessed  saintes, 
How  suffrest  thou  such  shamefull  cruelty, 
So  long  unwreaked  of  tliine  enimy  ! 
Or  hast  thou,  Lord,  of  good  mens  cause  no  heed  ? 
Or  doth  thy  iustice  sleepe  and  silent  ly  ? 
What  booteth  then  the  good  and  righteous  deed, 
If  goodnesse  find  no  grace,  nor  righteousnes  no  meed ! 

10  "  If  good  find  grace,  and  righteousnes  reward. 
Why  then  is  Amoret  in  caytive  ^  band 
Sith  that  more  bounteous'  creature  never  far'd* 
On  foot  upon  the  face  of  living  land  ! 
Or  if  that  hevenly  iustice  may  withstand 
The  wrongfull  outrage  of  unrighteous  men, 
"Why  then  is  Busirane  with  wicked  hand 
Suflf'red,  these  seven  monethes  day,^  in  secret  den 

My  Lady  and  my  Love  so  cruelly  to  pen  ? 

1  Abrade,  rouse.  *  Far'd,  walked. 

*  Caytive,  captive.  6  Day,  time. 

'  Bounteous,  virtuous. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XI.  385 

II  "^ly  Lady  and  my  Love  is  cruelly  pend 
In  dolef  uU  darkenes  from  the  vew  of  day, 
Whilest  deadly  torments  doe  her  chast  brest  rend, 
And  the  sharpe  Steele  doth  rive  her  hart  in  tway,  — 
All  for  she  Scudamore  will  not  denay.* 
Yet  thou,  vile  man,  vile  Scudamore,  art  sound, 
Ne  canst  her  ayde,  ne  canst  her  foe  dismay  ; 
Unworthy  wretch  to  tread  upon  the  ground, 

For  whom  so  faire  a  lady  feeles  so  sore  a  wound." 


12  There  an  huge  heape  of  singulfes  ^  did  oppresse 
His  strugling  soule,  and  swelling  throbs  empeach' 
His  foltring  toung  with  pangs  of  drerinesse,* 
Choking  the  remnant  of  his  plaintife  speach, 

As  if  his  dayes  were  come  to  their  last  reach. 
"Which  when  she  heard,  and  saw  the  ghastly  fit 
Threatning  into  his  life  to  make  a  breach. 
Both  with  great  ruth  and  terrour  she  was  smit, 
Fearing  least  from  her  cage  the  wearie  soule  would  flit. 

13  Tho,  stouping  doAvne,  she  him  amoved  light ; 
Who,  therewith  somewhat  starting,  up  gan  looke, 
And  seeing  him  behind  a  stranger  knight, 
Where  as  no  living  creature  he  mistooke. 

With  great  indignaunce  he  that  sight  forsooke,^ 
And,  downe  againe  himselfe  disdainefully 
Abiecting,®  th'  earth  with  his  faire  forhead  strooke : 

1  Denay,  deny.  *  Drerinesse,  sorrow. 

2  Shujulfts  (for  singuUs),  sobs.        5  Forsooke,  turned  from. 
8  Empeach,  liinder.  ^  Abieciing,  casting. 


XIII.  4.    Where  he  wrongly  supposed  there  was  no  living  crea- 
ture.   C. 


386  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

Which  the  bold  Virgin  seeing,  gan  apply 
Fit  medcine  to  his  griefe,  and  spake  thus  courteslj : 

14  "  Ah  !  gentle  Knight,  whose  deepe-conceived  grief* 
Well  seemes  t'  exceede  the  powre  of  patience, 
Yet,  if  that  hevenly  grace  some  good  reliefe 
You  send,  submit  you  to  High  Providence  ; 
And  ever  in  your  noble  hart  prej)ense,^ 
That  all  the  sorrow^  in  the  world  is  lesse 
Then  vertues  might  and  values  "^  confidence  : 
For  who  nill*  bide  the  burden  of  distresse, 

Must  not  here  thinke  to  live ;    for  life  is  wretched- 
nesse. 

16  "  Therefore,  faire  Sir,  doe  comfort  to  you  take, 
And  freely  read^  what  wicked  felon  so 
Hath  outrag'd  you,  and  thrald  your  gentle  make.^ 
Perhaps  this  hand  may  helpe  to  ease  your  woe. 
And  wreake  your  sorrow  on  your  cruell  foe ; 
At  least  it  faire  endevour  will  apply." 
Those  feeling  words  so  neare  the  quicke  did  goe. 
That  up  his  head  he  reared  easily  ; 

And,  leaning  on  his  elbowe,  these  few  words  lett  fl; 

16  "  What  boots  it  plaine  ^  that  cannot  be  redrest, 
And  sow  vaine  sorrow  in  a  fruitlesse  eare  ; 
Sith  powre  of  hand,  nor  skill  of  learned  brest, 
Ne  worldly  price,  cannot  redeeme  my  deare 
Out  of  her  thraldome  and  continuall  feare  ! 

1  Prepense,  consider.  4  R^„d^  explain. 

a  Values,  valor's.  6  Make,  mate. 

8  mil,  will  not.  0  Plaine,  complain  of. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XI.  887 

For  he,  the  tyrant,  which  her  hath  in  ward 
By  strong  enchauntments  and  blacke  magicke  leare,^ 
Hath  in  a  dungeon  deepe  her  close  embard, 
And  many  dreadfull  feends  hath  pointed  to  her  gard^ 

17  "  There  he  tormenteth  her  most  terribly, 
And  day  and  night  afflicts  with  mortall  paine, 
Because  to  yield  him  love  she  doth  deny, 
Once  to  me  yold,  not  to  be  yolde  againe : 
But  yet  by  torture  he  would  her  constraine 
Love  to  conceive  in  her  disdainfuU  brest ; 
Till  so  she  doe,  she  must  in  doole  ^  remaine, 
Ne  may  by  living  meanes  be  thence  relest : 

What  boots  it  then  to  plaine  that  cannot  be  redrest!"' 

18  With  this  sad  hersall  '  of  his  heavy  stresse  * 
The  warlike  Damzell  was  empassiond*  sore, 
And  sayd  :  "  Sir  Knight,  your  cause  is  nothing  lesse 
Then  is  your  sorrow,  certes,  if  not  more  ; 

For  nothing  so  much  pitty  doth  implore 
As  gentle  ladyes  helplesse  misery  : 
But  yet,  if  please  ye  listen  to  my  lore,^ 
I  will,  with  proofe  of  last  extremity. 
Deliver  her  fro  thence,  or  with  her  for  you  dy." 

19  "  Ah  !  gentlest  Knight  alive,"  sayd  Scudamore, 
"  What  huge  heroicke  magnanimity 

Dwells  in  thy  bounteous  brest  ?  what  couldst  thou 
more, 

1  Leave,  lore.  *  Stresse,  distress. 

2  Boole,  grief.  ^  Empassioml,  moved. 

8  Hersall,  rehearsal.  ^  Lore,  teaching,  counsel. 


388  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

If  shee  were  thine,  and  thou  as  now  am  I  ? 
0  spare  thy  happy  daies,  and  them  apply 
To  better  boot^ ;  but  let  me  die  that  ought ; 
More  is  more  losse  ;  one  is  enough  to  dy  !  " 
"  Life  is  not  lost,"  said  she,  "  for  which  is  bought 
Endlesse  renowm,  that    more    then   death  is  to  be 
sought." 

20  Thus  shee  at  length  persuaded  him  to  rise, 
And  with  her  wend  to  see  what  new  successe 
Mote  liim  befall  upon  new  enterprise : 

His  armes,  which  he  had  vowed  to  disprofesse, 
She  gathered  up  and  did  about  him  dresse,*^ 
And  his  forwandred^  steed  unto  him  gott : 
So  forth  they  both  yfere  ^  make  their  progresse, 
And  march,  not  past  the  mountenaunce  of  a  shott,^ 
Till  they  arriv'd  whereas  their  purpose  they  did  plott. 

21  There  they,  dismounting,  drew  their  weapons  bold, 
And  stoutly  came  unto  the  Castle  gate. 
Whereas  no  gate  they  found  them  to  withhold, 
Nor  ward  to  wait  at  morne  and  evening  late ; 
But  in  the  porch,  that  did  them  sore  amate,* 

A  flaming  fire  ymixt  with  smouldry '  smoke 

1  Boot,  advantage.  6  i.  e.  a  bow-shot's  distance- 

2  Dresse,  dispose.  6  Amate,  daunt. 

8  Forwandred,  strayed  away.     7  Smouldry,  smothering. 
*  Yfere,  together. 


XIX.  9.  —  That  more  then  death  is  to  be  sought.]  The  meaning 
appears  to  be,  that  "  er.dlesse  renowm  "  is  more  to  be  smic/ht  than 
death  is  to  be  avoided.     H. 


BOOK    111.       CANTO    XI.  389 

Ajid  stinking  sulpliure,  that  with  griesly  hate 
And  dreadful!  horror  did  all  entraunce  choke. 
Enforced  them  their  forward  footing  to  revoke. 

22  Greatly  thereat  was  Britomart  dismayd, 

Ne  in  that  stownd  ^  wist  how  herselfe  to  beare ; 
For  daunger  vaine  ^  it  were  to  have  assayd 
That  cruell  element,  which  all  things  feare, 
Ne  none  can  suifer  to  approchen  neare  : 
And,  turning  backe  to  Scudamour,  thus  sayd : 
"  What  monstrous  enmity  provoke  we  heare  ? 
Foolhardy  as  th'  Earthes  children,  the  which  made 
Batteill  against  the  gods,  so  we  a  god  invade. 

23  "  Daunger  without  discretion  to  attem})t, 
Inglorious,  beast-like,  is :  therefore.  Sir  Knight, 
Aread  ^  what  course  of  you  is  safest  dempt,* 
And  how  we  with  our  foe  may  come  to  fight." 

"  Tliis  is,"  quoth  he,  "  the  dolorous  despight,* 
Which  earst  to  you  I  playnd :  for  neither  may 
This  fire  be  quencht  by  any  witt  or  might, 
Ne  yet  by  any  meanes  remov'd  away ; 
So  mighty  be  th'  enchauntments  which  the  same  do 
stay.^ 

a  "  What  is  thei'e  ells  but  cease  these  fruitlesse  paines, 
And  leave  me  to  my  former  languishing  ! 
Faire  Amorett  must  dwell  in  wicked  chaines, 
And  Scudamore  here  die  w  ith  sorrowing  !  " 

1  Stownd,  exigencj  *  Dempt,  deemed. 

2  Vaine,  useless.  ^  Dolorous  desjnght,  grievous  vexation. 
8  Aread,  declare.  6  Stay,  maintain. 


890  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

"  Perdy,  not  so,"  saide  shee  ;  "  for  shameful  thing 
Yt  were  t'  abandon  noble  chevisaunce,^ 
For  shews  of  perill,  without  venturing : 
Rather,  let  try  extremities  of  chaunce 
Then  enterpi'ised  praise  for  dread  to  disavaunce.' ** 

25  Therewith,  resolv'd  to  prove  her  utmost  might, 
Her  ample  shield  she  threw  before  her  face. 
And  her  swords  point  directing  forward  right 
Assayld  the  flame ;  the  which  eftesoones  gave  place, 
And  did  itselfe  divide  with  equall  space, 
That  through  she  passed,  as  a  thonder-bolt 
Perceth  the  yielding  ayre,  and  doth  displace 
The  soring  clouds  into  sad  showres  ymolt^  ; 

So  to  her  yold  ^  the  flames,  and  did  their  force  revolt.^ 

86  Whome  whenas  Scudamour  saw  past  the  fire 
Safe  and  untoucht,  he  likewise  gan  assay 
"With  greedy  will  and  envious  desire, 
And  bad  the  stubborne  flames  to  yield  him  way ; 
But  cruel!  Mulciber®  would  not  obay 
His  threatfuU  pride,  but  did  the  more  augment 
His  mighty  rage,  and  with  imperious  sway 
Him  forst,  maulgre,''  his  fercenes  to  relent. 

And  backe  retire  all  scorcht  and  pitifully  brent.* 

27  With  huge  impatience  he  inly  swelt,® 

More  for  great  sorrow  that  he  could  not  pas 

1  Chevisaunce,  enterprise.  6  Revoll,  roll  back. 

-  Disavaunce,  retreat  from.  «  Mukiber,  Vulcan,  the  fire. 

8  Ymolt,  melted.        -'  7  Afnulgre,  in  spite  of  himself 

*  Void,  yielded.  8  Brent,  burned. 

»  Swelt,  swelled.     See  Vol  III.  124,  and  IV.  203. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    XI.  391 

Then  for  the  burning  torment  which  he  felt ; 
That  with  fell  woodnes^  he  effierced^  was, 
And,  wilfully-  him  throwing  on  the  gras, 
Did  beat  and  bounse  his  head  and  brest  ful  sore : 
The  whiles  the  Championesse  now  entred  has 
The  utmost^  rowme,  and  past  the  forraest  dore; 
The  utmost  rowme  abounding  with  all  precious  store : 

28  For,  round  about,  the  walls  yclothed  were 
With  goodly  arras  of  great  maiesty. 
Woven  with  gold  and  silke  so  close  and  nere 
That  the  rich  metall   lurked  privily. 

As  faining  to  be  hidd  from  envious  eye ; 
Yet  here,  and  there,  and  every  where,  unwares 
It  shewd  itselfe  and  shone  unwiUingly  ; 
Like  to'  a  discolourd*  snake,  whose  hidden  snares 
Thi-ough  the  greene  gras  his  long  bright  burnisht  back 
declares. 

29  And  m  those  tapets  ^  weren  fashioned 

Many  faire  pourtraicts,  and  many  a  faire  feate ; 

And  all  of  love,  and  al  of  lustyhed,® 

As  seemed  by  their  semblaunt,''  did  entreat  * : 


1  Woodnes,  madness.  5  Tapets,  tapestries. 

2  Effierced,  enraged.  6  Lustyhed,  lustfulness. 

3  Utmost,  outermost.  '  Semblnunf,  appearance. 

4  Discolourd,  party-colored.  ^  Entreat,  treat. 


XXIX.  l.  —  And  in  those  tapets,  &c.]  Spenser  here  imitates 
Ovid's  description  of  the  tapestry  woven  by  Arachne  in  her 
contest  with  Minerva.  (Metam.  VI.  103.)  As  usual  with  him, 
the  poet  departs  somewhat  from  the  classical  mythology  in  his 
version  of  these  stories.    Upton. 


392  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  eke  all  Cupids  Avarres  they  did  repeate, 
And  cruell  battailes,  which  he  whilome  fought 
Gainst  all  the  gods  to  make  his  empire  great ; 
Besides  the  huge  massacres,  which  he  wrought 
On  mighty  kings  and  kesars  ^  into  thraldome  brought 

30  Therein  was  writt  how  often  thondring  love 
Had  felt  the  point  of  his  hart-percing  dart, 
And,  leaving  heavens  kingdome,  here  did  rove 
In  straunge  disguize,  to  slake  his  scalding  smart ; 
Now,  hke  a  ram,  faire  Helle  to  pervart. 
Now,  like  a  bull,  Europa  to  withdraw  : 
Ah,  how  the  fearefuU  ladies  tender  hart 
Did  lively^  seeme  to  tremble,  when  she  saw 

The  huge  seas  under  her  t'  obay  her  servaunts  law  ! 

ji  Soone  after  that,  into  a  golden  showre 
Himselfe  he  chaung'd,  faire  Danae  to  vew ; 
And  through  the  roofe  of  her  strong  brasen  towre 
Did  raine  into  her  lap  an  hony  dew ; 
The  whiles  her  foolish  garde,  that  litle  knew 
Of  such  deceipt,  kept  th'  yron  dore  fast  bard, 
And  watcht  that  none  should  enter  nor  issew ; 
Vaine  was  the  watch,  and  bootlesse  all  the  ward, 

Whenas  the  god  to  golden  hew  himselfe  transfard." 

»2  Then  was  he  turnd  into  a  snowy  swan. 
To  win  faire  Leda  to  his  lovely^  trade : 
O  wondrous  skill,  and  sweet  wit  of  the  man 


1  Kesars,  emperors.  8  Transfnrd,  transferred. 

2  Lively,  life-like.  *  Lovely,  amorous. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XI.  393 

That  her  in  daffiidillies  sleeping  made, 
From  scorching  heat  her  daintie  limbes  to  shade, 
Whiles  the  proud  bird,  ruffing^  his  fethers  wyde 
And  brushing  his  faire  brest,  did  her  invade : 
Shee  slept ;  yet  twixt  her  eielids  closely  spyde 
How  towards  her  he  rusht,  and  smiled  at  his  pryde. 

33  Then  shewd  it  how  the  Thebane  Semelee, 
Deceivd  of  gealous  luno,  did  require 
To  see  him  in  his  soverayne  maiestee 
Armd  with  his  thunderbolts  and  lightning  fire, 
"Whens  dearely  she  with  death  bought  her  desire. 
But  faire  Alcmena  better  match  did  make, 
loying  his  love  in  likenes  more  entire  : 
Three  nights  in  one  they  say  that  for  her  sake 

He  then  did  put,  her  pleasures  lenger  to  partake. 

j4  Twise  was  he  seene  in  soaring  eagles  shape, 
And  with  wide  winges  to  beat  the  buxome  ^  ayre . 
Once,  when  he  with  Asterie  did  scape ; 
Againe,  whenas  the  Troiane  boy  so  fayre 
He  snatcht  from  Ida  hill,  and  with  him  bare : 
Wondrous  delight  it  was,  there  to  behould 
How  the  rude  shepheards  after  him  did  stare. 
Trembling   through    feare  least   down    he    fallen 
should. 

And  often  to  him  calling  to  take  surer  hould. 


■» 


1  Ruffing,  ruffling.  2  Buxome,  yielding. 


XXXIIl.    7. —  In  likeness  more  entire.]    Jupiter  appearing  to 
her  iu  a  shape  more  like  her  own.     C. 


394  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

35  In  Satyres  shape  Antiopa  he  snatcht ; 
And  Hke  a  fire,  when  he  Aegin'  assayrl : 
A  shepeheard,  when  Mnemosyne  he  catcht; 
And  like  a  serpent  to  the  Tliracian  mayd. 
Whyles  thus  on  earth  great  love  these  pageaunts 

playd, 
The  Winged  Boy  did  thrust  into  his  throne, 
And,  scoffing,  thus  unto  his  mother  sayd : 
"  Lo !  now  the  hevens  obey  to  me  alone, 

And  take  me  for  their  love,  whiles  love  to  earth  is 
gone." 

i6  And  thou,  feire  Phoebus,  in  thy  colours  bright 
Wast  there  en  woven,  and  the  sad  distresse 
In  which  that  boy  thee  plonged,  for  despight 
That  thou  bewray'dst  his  mothers  wantonnesse. 
When  she  with  Mars  was  meynt^  in  ioyfulnesse: 
Forthy  he  thrild^  thee  with  a  leaden  dart 
To  love  faire  Daphne,  which  thee  loved  lesse ; 
Lesse  she  thee  lov'd  then  was  thy  iust  desart, 

Yet  was  thy  love  her  death,  and  her  death  was  thy 
smart. 

}-  So  lovedst  thou  the  lusty  Hyacinct ; 
So  lovedst  thou  the  faire  Coronis  deare : 
Yet  both  are  of  thy  haplesse  hand  extinct ; 

1  Meynt,  mingled  2  Thrilcl,  pierced. 


XXXV.  4.  —  Tliracian  mayd.]    By  the  Thracian  maid  is  meant 
Proserpina.     Uiton. 

XXXVI.  ^.  —  Leaden  dart.]    Tlie  leaden  darts  of  Cupid  pro- 
duced unhappy  or  unsuccessful  passion.    PI. 


BOOK   III.      CANTO    XI.  -VJo 

Yet  both  iu  flowres  doe  live,  and  love  thee  beare, 
The  one  a  paunce/  the  other  a  sweet-breare : 
For  gi'iefe  whereof,  ye  mote  have  lively  seene 
The  god  himselfe  rending  his  golden  heare, 
And  breaking  quite  his  garlond  ever  greene, 
With  other  signes  of  sorrow  and  impatient  teene.^ 

gs  Both  for  those  two,  and  for  his  owne  deare  sonne, 
The  sonne  of  Climene,  he  did  repent ; 
Wlio,  bold  to  guide  the  charet  of  the  sunne, 
Himselfe  in  thousand  peeces  fondly  '  rent, 
And  all  the  world  with  flashing  fire  brent; 
So  like,  that  all  the  walles  did  seerae  to  flame. 
Yet  cruell  Cupid,  not  herewith  content, 
Forst  him  eftsoones  to  follow  other  game. 

And  love  a  shephards  daughter  for  his  dearest  dame. 

$9  He  loved  Isse  for  his  dearest  dame. 
And  for  her  sake  her  cattell  fedd  awhile, 
And  for  her  sake  a  cowheard  vile  became : 
The  servant  of  Admetus,  cowheard  vile, 
"Whiles  that  from  heaven  he  suffered  exile. 
Long  were  to  tell  each  other  lovely  *  fitt ; 
Now,  like  a  lyon  hunting  after  spoile  ; 
Now,  like  a  stag ;  now,  hke  a  faulcon  flit : 

All  which  in  that  faire  arras  was  most  lively  writ. 

1  Paunce,  pansy.  8  Fondly,  foolishly. 

2  Jfeene,  grief.  *  Lovely,  amorous. 
■ 

XXXIX.  8.  —  All  the  editions  have  like  a  hag.  Jortin  suggest- 
ed stag,  and  this  reading  is  confirmed  by  a  passage  cited  by  Upton 
from  Na talis  Comes,  according  to  wliich  Apollo  transformed  him- 
self into  a  lion,  a  stag,  and  a  hawk.     C. 


396  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

40  Xext  unto  him  was  Neptune  pictured, 

In  his  divine  resemblance  wondrous  lyke : 
His  face  was  rugged,  and  his  hoarie  hed 
Dropped  with  brackish  deaw ;  his  threeforkt  pyke 
He  stearnly  shooke,  and  therewith  fierce  did  stryke 
The  raging  billowes,  that  on  every  syde 
They  trembhng  stood,  and  made  a  long  broad  dyke, 
That  his  swift  charet  might  have  passage  wyde, 
Which  foure  great  hippodames  ^  did  draw  in  teme- 
wise  tyde. 

41  His  seahorses  did  seeme  to  snort  amayne, 

And  from  their  nosethrilles  blow  the  brynie  streame, 
That  made  the  sparckling  waves  to  smoke  agayne 
And  flame  with  gold ;  but  the  white  fomy  creame 
Did  shine  with  silver,  and  shoot  forth  his  beame : 
The  god  himselfe  did  pensive  seeme  and  sad, 
And  hong  adowne  his  head  as  he  did  dreame ; 
For  privy  love  his  brest  empierced  had, 
Ne  ought  but  deare  Bisaltis  ay  could  make  him  glad 

42  He  loved  eke  Iphimedia  deare, 

And  Aeolus  faire  daughter,  Arne  hight, 
For  whom  he  turnd  himselfe  into  a  steare, 
And  fedd  on  fodder  to  beguile  her  sight. 
Also,  to  win  Deucalions  daughter  bright. 
He  turnd  himselfe  into  a  dolphin  fayre ; 
And,  like  a  winged  horse,  he  tooke  his  flight 
To  snaky-locke  Medusa  to  repayre. 
On  whom  he  got  faire  Pegasus  thatflitteth  •^  in  the  ayre. 

1  Eippodames,  sea  or  river  horses.  2  FUtttth,  flieth. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XI. 


397 


43  Next  Saturne  was,  (but  who  would  ever  weene 
That  sullein  Saturne  ever  weend  to  love  ? 
Yet  love  is  sullein,  and  Saturnlike  seene, 
As  he  did  for  Erigone  it  prove,) 
That  to  a  centaure  did  himselfe  transmove.^ 
So  proov'd  it  eke  that  gratious  god  of  wine, 
When,  for  to  compasse  Philliras  hard  love, 
-  He  turnd  himselfe  into  a  fruitfull  vine, 

And  into  her  faire  bosome  made  liis  grapes  dechne. 


^> 


44  Long  were  to  tell  the  amorous  assayes. 
And  gentle  pangues,  with  wliich  he  maked  meeke 
The  mightie  Mars,  to  learne  his  wanton  playes ; 
How  oft  for  Venus,  and  how  often  eek 

For  many  other  nymplies,  he  sore  did  shreek ; 
With  womanish  teares,  and  with  un  warlike  smarts, 
Privily  moystening  his  horrid^  dieeke : 
There  was  he  painted  full  of  burning  dartes. 
And  many  wide  woundes  launched  through  his  inner 
partes. 

45  Ne  did  he  spare  (so  cruell  was  the  elfe) 

His  owne  deare  mother,  (ah,  why  should  he  so  ?) 
Ne  did  he  spare  sometime  to  pricke  himselfe, 
That  he  might  taste  the  sweet  consuming  woe, 
Which  he  had  wrought  to  many  others  moe. 
But,  to  declare  the  mournfull  tragedyes 
And  spoiles  wherewith  he  all  the  ground  did  strow,  — 
More  eath  ^  to  number  with  how  many  eyes 
High  heven  beholdes  sad  lovers  nightly  theeveryes. 

1  Tramnwve,  transform.  8  Horrid,  rough. 

2  Assayes,  attacks.  *  t^aih,  easy. 


398  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

46  Kings,  queenes,  lords,  ladies,  knights,  and  damsels 

gent, 
Were  heap'd  together  with  the  vulgar  sort, 
And  minDfled  with  the  raskall  rablement, 
Without  respect  of  person  or  of  port,^ 
To  shew  Dan  Cupids  powre  and  great  effort : 
And  round  about,  a  border  was  entrayld  ^ 
Of  broken  bowes  and  arrowes  shivered  short ; 
And  a  long  bloody  river  through  them  rayld,' 
So  lively,  and  so  like,  that  living  sence  it  fayld.^ 

47  And  at  the  upper  end  of  that  faire  rowme 
There  was  an  altar  built  of  pretious  stone 
Of  passing  valew  and  of  great  renowme, 
On  which  there  stood  an  image  all  alone 

Of  massy  gold,  which  with  his  owne  light  shone ; 
And  winges  it  had  with  sondry  colours  dight, 
More  sondry  colours  then  the  proud  pavone* 
Beares  in  his  boasted  fan,  or  Iris  bright. 
When  her  discolourd  bow  she  spreds  through  hevens 
hisht. 


D 


;8  Blyndfold  he  was ;  and  in  his  cruell  fist 
A  mortall  bow  and  arrowes  keene  did  hold. 
With  which  he  shot  at  randon  when  him  list, 


1  Pwt,  carriage.  4  Fayld,  deceived 

2  Entrayld,  entwined.  s  Pavone,  peacock. 
8  Rayld,  rolled. 

XL  VII.  9.  —  Hevens  hi(/hl.]  All  the  editions  read  heven  hnght; 
but  this  is  so  obviously  a  misprint,  that  I  have  made  the  change 
suggested  by  Upton.    C. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XI.  399 

Some  headed  with  sad  *  lead,  some  with  pure  gold  ; 
(Ah  man,  beware  how  thou  those  dartes  behold !) 
A  wounded  dragon  under  him  did  ly. 
Whose  hideous  tayle  his  lefte  foot  did  enfold, 
And  with  a  shaft  was  shot  through  either  eye. 
That  no  man  forth  might  draw,  ne  no  man  renuedye. 

49  And  underneath  his  feet  was  written  thus  • 
Unto  the  victor  of  the  gods  this  hee  ; 

And  all  the  people  in  that  ample  hous 
Did  to  that  image  bowe  their  humble  knee, 
And  oft  committed  fowle  idolatree. 
That  wondrous  sight  faire  Britomart  amazd, 
Ne  seeing  could  her  wonder  satisfie. 
But  ever  more  and  more  upon  it  gazd. 
The  whiles  the  passing  brightnes  her  fraile  sences  dazd 

50  Tho,  as  she  backward  cast  her  busie  eye 
To  search  each  secrete  of  that  goodly  sted,* 
Over  the  dore  thus  written  she  did  spye : 
Bee  bold.     She  oft  and  oft  it  over-red, 
Yet  could  not  find  what  sence  it  figured : 
But  whatso  were  therein  or  writ  or  ment, 
She  was  no  whit  thereby  discouraged 
From  prosecuting  of  her  first  intent, 

But  forward  with  bold  steps  into  the  next  roome  went 

51  Much  fayrer  then  the  former  was  that  roome, 
And  richlier,  by  many  partes,^  arayd  ; 

For  not  with  arras  made  in  painefull  loome, 

1  Sad,  heavy.  3  I.  e.  by  many  timea. 

2  Sted,  place. 


400  TUB    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

But  with  pure  gold,  it  all  was  overlayd, 

Wrought  with  wilde  antickes  *  which  their  follies 

playd 
In  the  rich  metall,  as  they  living  were : 
A  thousand  monstrous  formes  therein  were  made. 
Such  as  false  Love  doth  oft  upon  him  weare ; 
For  Love  in  thousand  monstrous  formes  doth  oft  ap- 

peare. 

82  And,  all  about,  the  glistring  walles  wei'e  hong 
With  warlike  spoiles  and  with  victorious  prayes 
Of  mightie  conqueroui's  and  captaines  strong, 
Which  were  whilome  captived  in  their  dayes 
To  cruell  love,  and  wrought  their  owne  decayes': 
Their  swerds  and  speres  were   broke,  and  h 

berques^  rent. 
And  their  proud  girlonds  of  tryumphant  bayes 
Troden  in  dust  with  fury  insolent. 

To  shew  the  victors  might  and  mercilesse  intent. 

63  The  warlike  Mayd,  beholding  earnestly 
The  goodly  ordinaunce  of  this  rich  place, 
Did  greatly  wonder ;  ne  could  satisfy 
Her  gi'eedy  eyes  with  gazing  a  long  space  : 
But  more  she  mervaild  that  no  footings  trace 
Nor  wight  appear'd,  but  wastefull  emptinesse 
And  solemne  silence  over  all  that  place  : 
Straunge  thing  it  seem'd,  that  none  was  to  possesse 

So  rich  purveyaunce,^  ne  them  keepe  with  careful- 
nesse. 

1  Antickes,  fantastic  figures.  3  ITauherqties,  coats  of  mail. 

2  Decayes,  ruins.  4  Purveyaimce,  furniture. 


BOOK   in.       CANTO    XI.  401 

54  And  as  she  lookt  about,  she  did  behold 
How  ovci'  that  same  dore  was  likewise  writ, 
Be  holde,  Be  bolde,  and  every  where,  Be  bold  ; 
That  much  she  lauz'd,  yet  could  not  construe  it 
By  any  ridhng  skill  or  commune  wit. 
At  last  she  spyde  at  that  rowmes  upper  end 
Another  yron  dore,  on  which  was  writ, 
Be  not  too  hold  ;  whereto  though  she  did  bend 

Her  earnest  minde,  yet  wist  not  what  it  might  intend 

85  Thus  she  there  wayted  untill  eventyde, 
Yet  living  creature  none  she  saw  appeare. 
And  now  sad  shadowes  gan  the  world  to  hyde 
From  mortall  vew,  and  wrap  in  darkenes  dreare ; 
Yet  nould  she  d'ofF^  her  weary  armes,  for  feare 
Of  secret  daunger,  ne  let  sleepe  oppresse 
Her  heavy  eyes  with  natures  burdein  deare, 
But  drew  herselfe  aside  in  sickernesse,^ 

And  her  welpointed  wepons  did  about  her  dresse.* 

1  Nmdd  she  d'of,  she  would  not  do  off,  doff.     8  Bresse,  dispose. 

2  Stckernesse,  safety. 


VOU   II. 


402  THE   FAERIE    QUEENR 


CANTO    XII. 


The  Maske  of  Cupid,  and  th'  Enchan- 
ted Chamber  are  displayd ; 

Whence  Britomart  redeemes  faire  A 
moret  through  charmes  decayd.i 


1  Tho,  whenas  chearelesse  night  ycovered  had 
Fayre  heaven  with  an  universall  clowd, 
That  every  wight  dismayd  with  darkenes  sad 
In  silence  and  in  sleepe  themselves  did  shrowd, 
She  heard  a  shrilling  trompet  sound  alowd, 
Signe  of  nigh  battaill,  or  got  victory  : 
Nought  therewith  daunted  was  her  courage  prowd, 
But  rather  stird  to  cruell  enmity, 

Expecting  ever  when  some  foe  she  might  descry. 

a  With  that,  an  hideous  storme  of  winde  arose, 
With  dreadfull  thunder  and  lightning  atwixt, 
And  an  earthquake,  as  if  it  streight  would  lose  '^ 
The  worlds  foundations  from  his  centre  fixt : 
A  direfull  stench  of  smoke  and  sulphure  mixt 
Ensewd,  whose  noyaunce  fild  the  fearefull  sted  ' 
From  the  fourth  howre  of  night  untill  the  sixt ; 
Yet  the  bold  Britonesse  was  nought  ydred. 

Though  much  emmov'd,  but  stedfast  still  persevered. 

i  I.  e.  wasted  by  magic  arts.  8  Steel,  place. 

*  Lose,  loosen. 


BOOK    III.       CAXTO    XII.  403 

3  All  suddeinly  a  stormy  whirhvind  blew 
Throughout  the  house,  that  clapped  every  doi'e, 
With  which  that  yron  wicket  open  flew, 

As  it  with  mighty  levers  had  bene  tore  ; 
And  forth  yssewd,  as  on  the  readie  flore 
Of  some  theatre,  a  grave  personage, 
That  in  his  hand  a  braunch  of  laurell  bore, 
With  comely  haveour  and  count'nance  sage, 
Yclad  in  costly  garments  fit  for  tragicke  stage. 

4  Proceeding  to  the  midst  he  stil  did  stand, 
As  if  in  minde  he  somewhat  had  to  say ; 
And  to  the  vulgare  beckning  with  his  hand, 
In  signe  of  silence,  as  to  heare  a  play, 

By  lively  actions  he  gan  bewray 
Some  argument  of  matter  passioned  * ; 
Which  doen,  he  backe  retyred  soft  away, 
And,  passing  by,  his  name  discovered, 
Ease,  on  his  robe  in  golden  letters  cyphered. 

5  The  noble  Mayd,  still  standing,  all  this  vewd',. 
And  merveild  at  his  straunge  intendiment  ^ : 
With  that  a  ioyous  fellowship  issewd 

Of  minstrales  making  goodly  meriment, 

1  Passioned,  represented.  2  Mencliment,  meaning. 

III.  6.  —  A  grave  personage,  &c.]  The  introduction  to  this 
procession  of  maskers  was  manifestly  borrowed  from  the  diimh 
show,  which  was  wont  to  be  exhibited  before  eveiy  act  of  a  tragedy. 
This  consisted  of  dumb  actors,  who,  by  their  dress  and  action, 
prepared  the  spectators  for  the  matter  and  substance  of  each  en- 
suing act  respectively.  We  have  a  specimen  of  this  dumb  show, 
mtroductorj'  to  the  play  in  Hamlet.     Wakxon. 


404  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

With  wanton  bardes,  and  rymers  impudent; 
All  which  together  song  full  chearefully 
A  lay  of  loves  dehght  with  sweet  concent^: 
After  whom  marcht  a  ioUy  company, 
In  manner  of  a  maske,  enranged  orderly. 

e  The  whiles  a  most  delitious  harmony 
In  full  straunge  notes  was  sw^eetly  heard  to  sound, 
That  the  rare  sweetnesse  of  the  melody 
The  feeble  sences  wholy  did  confound, 
And  the  frayle  soule  in  deepe  delight  nigh  drownd: 
And,  when  it  ceast,  shrill  trompets  lowd  did  bray, 
That  their  report  did  far  away  rebound ; 
And,  when  they  ceast,  it  gan  againe  to  play. 

The  whiles  the  maskers  marched  forth  in  trim  aray. 

7  The  first  was  Fansy,  like  a  lovely  boy 
Of  rare  aspect  and  beautie  without  peare, 
Matchable  ether  to  that  ympe  ^  of  Troy, 
Whom  love  did  love  and  chose  his  cup  to  beare ; 
Or  that  same  daintie  lad,  which  was  so  deare 
To  great  Alcides,  that,  when  as  he  dyde, 
He  wailed  womanlike  with  many  a  teare, 
And  every  wood  and  every  valley  wyde 

He  fild  with  Hylas  name ;  the  Nymphes  eke  Hylas 
cryde. 

9  His  garment  nether  was  of  silke  nor  say,' 
But  paynted  plumes  in  goodly  order  dight, 


1  Concent,  harmony.  8  Say,  satin. 

2  I.  e.  the  j'outh  Ganymede. 


BOOK    III.       CAXTO    XII.  405 

Like  as  the  sunburnt  Indians  do  aray 

Their  ta\A'ney  bodies,  in  their  proudest  plight : 

As   those  same  plumes,  so  seemd  he   vaine  and 

light, 
That  by  his  gate  might  easily  appeare ; 
For  still  he  far'd*  as  dauncing  in  delight, 
And  in  his  hand  a  windy  fan  did  beare, 
That  in  the  ydle  ayre  he  mov'd,  still  here  and  theare. 

9  And  him  beside  marcht  amorous  Desyre, 

Who  seemd  of  ryper  yeares  then  th'  other  swayne, 

Yet  was  that  other  swayne  this  elders  syre, 

And  gave  him  being,  commune  to  them  twayne : 

His  garment  was  disguysed  very  vayne, 

And  his  embrodered  bonet  sat  awry : 

Twixt  both    his   hands   few   sparks  he  close  did 

strayne, 
Wliich  still  he  blew  and  kindled  busily, 
That  soone  they  life  conceiv'd,  and  forth  in  flames  did 

fly. 

10  Next  after  him  went  Doubt,  who  was  yclad 
In  a  discolour'd^  cote  of  straunge  disguyse, 
That  at  his  backe  a  brode  capuccio  ^  had, 
And  sleeves  dependaunt  Albanese-wyse*; 
He  lookt  askew  with  his  mistrustfull  eyes, 
And  nycely  ^  trode,  as  thornes  lay  in  his  way, 
Or  that  the  flore  to  shrinke  he  did  avyse  ^ ; 


1  Far'd.  went.      *  <  I.  e.  Albanian  fashiou. 

2  Discoloured,  many-colored.  5  Nycely,  cai-efully. 
s  Capuccio,  hood.  ^  Avy/^e,  perceive. 


406  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE 

And  on  a  broken  reed  lie  still  did  stay 
His  feeble  steps,  which  shrunck  when  hard  thereon 
he  lay. 

n  With  him  went  Daunger,  cloth'd  in  ragged  weed 
Made  of  beai-es  skin,  that  him  more  dreadfuU  made  ; 
Yet  his  owne  face  was  dreadfuU,  ne  did  need 
Straunge  ^  horrour  to  deforme  his  griesly  shade : 
A  net  in  th'  one  hand,  and  a  rusty  blade 
In  th'  other  w^as ;  this  Mischiefe,  that  Mishap ; 
With  th'  one  his  foes  he  threatned  to  invade, 
With  th'  other  he  his  friends  ment  to  enwrap : 

For  whom  he  could  not  kill  he  practizd  to  entrap. 

12  Next  him  was  Feare,  all  arm'd  from  top  to  toe, 
Yet  thought  himselfe  not  safe  enough  thereby. 
But  feard  each  shadow  moving  too  or  froe ; 
And,  his  owne  armes  when  glittering  he  did  spy 
Or  clashing  heard,  he  fast  away  did  fly. 

As  ashes  pale  of  hew,  and  winged  heeld ; 
And  evermore  on  Daunger  fixt  his  eye. 
Gainst  whom  he  alwayes  bent  a  brasen  shield, 
Which  his  right  hand  unarmed  fearefully  did  wield. 

13  With  him  went  Hope  in  rancke,  a  handsome  mayd, 
Of  chearefull  looke  and  lovely  to  behold ; 

1  Straunge,  foreign,  or  borrowed. 


XII.  ».  —  Which  his  nyht  hand,  &c.]  T|iis  circumstance  is 
suitable  to  the  nature  of  Fear,  who  is  here  justly  represented  as 
being  more  solicitous  to  defend  himself  than  to  hurt  others ;  he 
^erefore  beai-s  his  shield  on  his  right  arm.     Chukch. 


BOOK    in.      CANTO    XII.  407 

In  silken  samite^  she  was  light  aruyd, 
And  her  fayre  lockes  were  woven  up  in  gold : 
She  alway  smyld,  and  in  her  hand  did  hold 
An  holy-water-sprinckle,  dipt  in  deowe, 
With  which  she  sprinckled  favours  manifold 
On  whom  she  list,  and  did  great  liking  sheowe, 
Great  liking  unto  many,  but  true  love  to  feowe. 

14  And  after  them  Dissemblaunce  and  Suspect 
Marcht  in  one  rancke,  yet  an  unequall  paire ; 
For  she  was  gentle  and  of  milde  aspect, 
Courteous  to  all  and  seeming  debonaire,^ 
Goodly  adorned  and  exceeding  faire ; 

Yet  was  that  all  but  paynted  and  pourloynd, 
And  her  bright  browes  were  deckt  with  borrowed 

haire ; 
Her  deeds  were  forged,  and  her  words  false  coynd, 
And  alwaies  in  her  hand  tAvo  clewes  of  silke  she  twynd: 

15  But  he  was  fowle,  ill  favoured,  and  grim, 
Under  his  eiebrowes  looking  still  askaunce ; 
And  ever,  as  Dissemblaunce  laught  on  him, 
He  lowrd  on  her  with  daungerous  eye-glaunce, 
Shewing  his  nature  in  his  countenaunce ; 

His  rolling  eies  did  never  rest  in  place, 
But  walkte^  each  where  for  feare  of  hid  mischaunce, 
Holding  a  lattis  still  before  his  face, 
Through  which  he  stil  did  peep  as  forward  he  did  pace. 

1  Snmiie,  a  robe  of  very  fine  silk.  3  Walkte,  rolled,  roved. 

2  Debonaire,  gracious. 

XV.  8.  — noldhifj  a  laitis,  &c.]     Suspect  is  dnnvn  with  a  lattice: 


408  THE   FAERIE    QUEENE. 

16  Next  him  went  Griefe  and  Fury  matclit  yfere^; 
Griefe  all  in  sable  sorrowfully  clad, 

Downe  hanging  his  dull  head  with  heavy  chere, 
Yet  inly  being  more  then  seeming  sad : 
A  paire  of  pincers  in  his  hand  he  had, 
With  which  he  pinched  people  to  the  hart, 
That  from  thenceforth  a  wretched  life  they  ladd, 
In  wilfuU  languor  and  consuming  smart, 
Dying  each  day  with  inward  wounds  of  dolours  dart. 

17  But  Fury  was  full  ill  apparelled 

In  rags,  that  naked  nigh  she  did  appeare, 
With  ghastly  looks  and  dreadfuU  drerihed^; 
For  from  her  backe  her  garments  she  did  teare, 
And  from  her  head  ofte  rent  her  snarled  heare ; 
In  her  right  hand  a  fii*ebrand  sliee  did  tosse^ 
About  her  head,  still  roming  here  and  there ; 
As  a  dismayed  deare  in  chace  embost,* 
Forgetfull  of  his  safety,  hath  his  right  way  lost. 

18  After  them  went  Displeasure  and  Pleasaunce, 
He  looking  lompish  and  full  sullein  sad. 
And  hanging  downe  his  heavy  countenaunce  ; 
She  chearfuU,  fresh,  and  full  of  ioyaunce  glad, 
As  if  no  sorrow  she  ne  felt  ne  drad ; 

That  evill  matched  paire  they  seemd  to  bee : 
An  angry  Avaspe  th'  one  in  a  viall  had, 

1  Yfere,  together.  8  Didtosse:({\x.  tost? 

2  Drenhed,  sorrow.  *  Embost,  hard  pressed. 

the  allusion  is  to  the  Italian  name  gelosia ;  sucli  blinds  or  lattices 
as  one  may  see  through,  yet  not  be  seen.     Upton. 


LOOK    III.       CANTO    Xll. 


409 


Til'  other  in  hers  an  hony-laden  bee. 
Thus  marched  these  six  couples  forth  in  taire  degree.^ 

19  After  all  these  there  marcht  a  most  faire  Dame, 
Led  of  two  grysie^  villeins,  th'  one  Despight, 
The  other  cleped  Cruelty  by  name : 

She  dolefull  lady,  Uke  a  dreary  spright 
Cald  by  strong  charmes  out  of  eternall  night, 
Had  deathes  owne  ymage  figurd  in  her  face, 
•  Full  of  sad  signes,  fearfull  to  living  sight ; 
Yet  in  that  horror  shewd  a  seemely  grace, 
And  with  her  feeble  feete  did  move  a  comely  pace. 

20  Her  brest  all  naked,  as  nett^  yvory 
Without  adorne  of  gold  or  silver  bright 
"Wherewith  the  craftesman  wonts  it  beautify. 
Of  her  dew  honour  was  despoyled  quight ; 
And  a  wide  wound  therein  (O  ruefull  sight !) 
Entrenched  deep  with  knyfe  accursed  keene, 
Yet  freshly  bleeding  forth  her  fainting  spright, 
(The  worke  of  cruell  hand)  was  to  be  seene. 

That  dyde  in  sanguine  red  her  skin  all  snowy  cleeue : 

21  At  that  wide  orifice  her  trembling  hart 
Was  drawne  forth,  and  in  silver  basin  layd. 
Quite  through  transfixed  with  a  deadly  dart. 
And  in  her  blood  yet  steeming  fresh  embayd.^ 

1  Degree,  step.  *  Embnyd,  bathed. 

2  Grysie,  squalid.     Probably  a  misprint  for  yryslie. 

3  Neti,  pure. 


XVIII.  8.  —  An  hony-laden  bee.]  The  old  editions  have  hony- 
lady  bee.  But  the  quarto  of  1590  abounds  with  misprints  in  this 
canto.    C. 


410  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And  those  two  villeins  which  her  steps  upstayd, 
"When  her  weake  feete  could  scarcely  her  sustaine, 
And  fading  vitall  powres  gan  to  fade, 
Her  forward  still  with  torture  did  constraine, 
And   evermore    encreased  her  consuming  paine. 

2a  Next  after  her,  the  Winged  God  himselfe 
Came  riding  on  a  lion  ravenous, 
Taught  to  obay  the  menage  of  that  elfe 
That  man  and  beast  with  powre  imperious 
Subdeweth  to  his  kingdome  tyrannous : 
His  bhndfold  eies  he  bad  awhile  unhinde, 
Tiuit  his  proud  spoile  of  that  same  dolorous 
Faire  dame  he  might  behold  in  perfect  kinde  ^ ; 

Which  scene,  he  much  reioyced  in  his  cruell  minde. 

23  Of  which  ful  prowd,  himselfe  uprearing  hye, 
He  looked  round  about  with  sterne  disdayne, 
And  did  survay  his  goodly  company ; 
And,  marshalling  the  evill-ordered  trayne, 
With  tluit  tlie  darts  which  his  right  hand  did  strains 
Full  dreadfully  he  shooke,  that  all  did  quake. 
And  clapt  on  hye  his  coulourd  winges  twaine, 
That  all  his  many  ^  it  affraide  did  make : 

Tho,  blinding  him  againe,  his  way  he  forth  did  take. 

•24  Behinde  him  was  Reproch,  Repentaunce,  Shame 
Reproch  the  first.  Shame  next.  Repent  behinde  : 

1  I.  e.  with  perfect  distinctness.  2  Many,  company. 

XXI.  7.  —  Fade  shoiild  probably  be  vade,  or  fading  be  failing. 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XII  411 

Repentaunce  feeble,  sorowfull,  and  lame  ; 
Reproch  despightful,  carelesse,  and  unkinde ; 
Shame  most  ill-favourd,  bestiall,  and  blinde  : 
Shame  lowrd,   Repentaunce  sigh'd,   Reproch  did 

scould  ; 
Reproch    sharpe    stings,    Repentaunce  whips  en- 

twinde, 
Shame  burning  brond-yrons  in  her  hand  did  hold : 
All  three  to  each  unlike,  yet  all  made  in  one  mould. 

25  And  after  them  a  rude  confused  rout 

Of  persons  flockt,  whose  names  is  hard  to  read* : 
Emongst  them  was  sterne  Strife  ;  and  Anger  stout ; 
Unquiet  Care  ;  and  fond "  Unthriftyhead  ; 
Lewd  Losse  of  Time  ;  and  Sorrow  seeming  dead ; 
Inconstant  Chaunge  ;  and  false  Disloyalty  ; 
Consuming  Riotise  ;  and  guilty  Dread 
Of  heavenly  vengeaunce  ;  faint  Infirmity  ; 

Vile  Poverty ;  and,  lastly,  Death  with  infamy. 

36  There  were  full  many  moe  like  maladies, 
Whose  names  and  natures  I  note  ^  readen  well ; 
So  many  moe,  as  there  be  phantasies 
In  wavering  wemens  witt,  that  none  can  tell, 
Or  paines  in  love,  or  punishments  in  hell : 
All  which  disguized  marcht  in  masking-wise 
About  the  chamber  by  the  Damozell ; 
And  then  returned,  having  marched  thrise. 

Into  the  inner  rowme  from  whence  they  first  did  rise.* 


1  Read,  tell.  8  j^^ote,  cannot. 

2  Fond,  foolish.  *  Rise,  come  forth 


412  THE   FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

27  So  soone  as  they  were  in,  the  dore  straightway 
Fast  locked,  driven  with  that  stormy  blast 
Wliich  first  it  opened,  and  bore  all  away. 
Then  the  brave  Maid,  which  al  this  while  was  plast 
In  secret  shade,  and  saw  both  first  and  last, 
Issewed  forth  and  went  unto  the  dore 
To  enter  in,  but  fownd  it  locked  fast : 
It  vaine  she  thought  with  rigorous  uprore 

For  to  efforce,  when  charmes  had  closed  it  afore. 

•26  Where  force  might  not  availe,  there  sleights  and  ai1 
She  cast  to  use,  both  fitt  for  hard  emprize : 
Forthy^  fi'om  that  same  rowme  not  to  depart 
Till  morrow  next  shee  did  herselfe  avize,^ 
"When  that  same  Maske  againe  should  forth  arize. 
The  morrowe  next  appeard  with  ioyous  cheare, 
Calling  men  to  their  daily  exercize : 
Then  she,  as  morrow  fresh,  herselfe  did  reare 

Out  of  her  secret  stand  that  day  for  to  outweare.^ 

29  All  that  day  she  outwore  in  w^andering* 
And  gazing  on  that  chambers  ornament, 
Till  that  againe  the  second  evening 
Her  covered  with  her  sable  vestiment. 
Wherewith  the  worlds  faire  beautie  she  hath  blent  ■*: 
Tiien,  when  the  second  watch  was  almost  past, 
Tliat  brasen  dore  flew  open,  and  in  went 

1  Forthy,  therefore.  ^  flutweare,  pass. 

2  Avize,  bethink.  *  Blent,  blinded,  dimmed. 

*  Later  editions  have  wondering, 

XXIX.  6.  —  Second  watcli.]     The  s»,cond  Watch  began  at  ninej 
nnd  ended  at  twelve.     II. 


BOOK    IIJ,       CANTO    XII.  413 

Bold  Britomart,  as  she  had  late  forecast/ 
Nether  of  ydle  showes  nor  of  false  charmes  aghast 

30  So  soone  as  she  was  entred,  rownd  about 
Shee  cast  her  eies  to  see  what  was  become 
Of  all  those  persons  which  she  saw  without. 

But  lo  !  they  streight  were  vani.sht  all  and  some^; 
Ne  living  wight  she  saw  in  all  that  roome, 
Save  that  same  woefull  Lady  ;  both  whose  hands 
Were  bounden  fast,  that  did  her  ill  become,^ 
And  her  small  waste  girt  rownd  with  yron  bands 
Unto  a  brasen  pillour,  by  the  which  she  stands. 

31  And,  her  before,  the  vile  Enchaunter  sate, 
Figurmg  straunge  characters  of  his  art ; 
With  hving  blood  he  those  characters  wrate, 
Dreadfully  dropping  from  her  dying  hart, 
Seeming  transfixed  with  a  cruell  dart ; 
And  all  perforce  to  make  her  him  to  love. 
Ah  !  who  can  love  the  worker  of  her  smart ! 
A  thousand  charmes  he  formerly  did  prove*; 

Yet  thousand  charmes  could  not  her  stedlast  hart  re- 
move. 

82  Soone  as  that  Virgin  Knight  he  saw  in  place. 
His  wicked  bookes  in  hast  he  overthrew, 
Not  caring  his  long  labours  to  deface ; 

1  Forecast,  previously  purposed.  *  Prove,  try. 

2  All  and  some,  one  and  iill. 

8  1.  e  which  ill  agreed  with  her. 

XXXII.  3.  —  Not  cariny,  &c.]     Not  caring  whether  he  defaced 
his  long  liibori^  or  not.    H. 


414  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

And,  fiercely  running  to  that  lady  trew, 
A  murdrous  knife  out  of  his  jDOcket  drew, 
The  which  he  thought,  for  villeinous  despight, 
In  her  torraented  bodie  to  embrew: 
But  the  stout  Damzell,  to  him  leaping  light, 
Hjs  cursed  hand  withheld,  and  maistered  his  might. 

33  From  her,  to  whom  his  fury  first  he  ment, 
The  wicked  weapon  rashly  ^  he  did  wrest,^ 
And,  turning  to  herselfe  his  fell  intent, 
Unwares  it  strooke  into  her  snowie  chest. 
That  litle  drops  empui'pled  her  faire  brest. 
Exceeding  wroth  therewith  the  Virgin  grew, 
Albe  the  wound  were  nothing  deepe  imprest, 
And  fiercely  forth  her  mortall  blade  she  drew, 

To  give  him  the  reward  for  such  vile  outrage  dew. 

31  So  mightily  she  smote  him,  that  to  ground 

He  fell  halfe  dead;  next  stroke  him  should  have 

slaine. 
Had  not  the  Lady,  which  by  him  stood  bound, 
Dernly  ^  unto  her  called  to  abstaine 
From  doing  him  to  dy  ;  for  else  her  paine 
Should  be  remedilesse ;  sith  none  but  hee 
Which  wrought  it  could  the  same  recure  againe. 
Therewith  she  stayd  her  hand,  loth  stayd  to  bee ; 

For  life  she  him  env}^de,  and  long'd  revenge  to  see  : 

2o  And  to  him  said  :  "  Thou  wicked  man,  whose  meed 
For  so  huge  mischiefe  and  vile  villany 

1  HasJily,  quickly.  8  Dernly,  secretly;  in  ;i  low  voice. 

2  Wrest,  turn  aside. 


BOOK    III.      CANTO    XIl.  415 

Is  death,  or  if  that  ought  doe  death  exceed  ; 
Be  sure  that  nought  may  save  thee  from  to  dy 
But  if  that  thou  this  Dame  doe  presently 
Restore  unto  her  heahh  and  former  state  ; 
This  doe,  and  live ;  els  dye  undoubtedly." 
He,  glad  of  life,  that  lookt  for  death  but  late. 
Did  yield  himselfe  right  willing  to  prolong  his  date  : 

36  And,  rising  up,  gan  streight  to  over-looke 

Those  cursed  leaves,  his  charmes  back  to  reverse. 
Full  dreadfull  thinges  out  of  that  balefull  booke 
He  red,  and  measur'd  many  a  sad  verse. 
That  horrour  gan  the  Virgins  hart  to  perse, 
And  her  faire  locks  up  stared  stiffe  on  end. 
Hearing  him  those  same  bloody  lynes  reherse  ; 
And,  all  the  while  he  red,  she  did  extend 

Her  sword  high  over  him,  if  ought  he  did  offend. 

87  Anon  she  gan  perceive  the  house  to  quake, 
And  all  the  dores  to  rattle  round  about ; 
Yet  all  that  did  not  her  dismaied  make, 
Nor  slack  her  threatfuU  hand  for  daungers  dout,^ 
But  still  w^ith  stedfast  eye  and  courage  stout 
Abode,  to  weet  what  end  would  come  of  all : 
At  last  that  mightie  chaine,  which  round  about 
Her  tender  waste  was  wound,  adowne  gan  tall, 

And  that  great  brasen  pillour  broke  in  peeces  small. 

B8  The  cruell  Steele,  which  thrild^  her  dying  hart. 
Fell  softly  forth,  as  of  his  owne  accord  ; 
And  the  wyde  wound,  which  lately  did  dispart 

1  D<mt,  apprehension.  2  Thrild,  pierced. 


416  THE    FAKRIE    QUEENE. 

Her  bleeding  brest  and  riven  bowels  gor'd, 
Was  closed  up,  as  it  had  not  beene  bor'd ; 
And  every  part  to  safety  full  sownd, 
As  she  were  never  hurt,  was  soone  restor'd : 
Tho,  when  she  felt  herselfe  to  be  unbownd 
And  perfect  hole,  prostrate  she  fell  unto  the  grownd : 

39  Before  faire  Britomart  she  fell  prostrate, 
Saying :  "  Ah  !  noble  Knight,  what  worthy  meede 
Can  wretched  lady,  quitt  from  wofull  state, 
Yield  you  in  lieu  of  this  your  gracious  deed  ? 
Your  vertue  selfe  her  owne  reward  shall  breed. 
Even  immortall  prayse  and  glory  wyde, 

Whicli  I,  your  vassall,  by  your  prowesse  freed, 
Shall  through  the  world  make  to  be  notifyde,^ 
And  goodly  well  advaunce  that  goodly  well  was  tryde." 

40  But  Britomart,  uprearing  her  from  grownd, 
Said :  "  Gentle  Dame,  reward  enough  I  weene, 
For  many  labours  more  then  I  have  found, 
This,  that  in  safetie  now  I  have  you  scene, 
And  meane  of  your  deliverance  have  beene : 
Ilcnceforth,  faire  Lady,  comfort  to  you  take. 
And  put  away  remembraunce  of  late  teene^; 
In  sted  thereof,  know  that  your  loving  make* 

Hath  no  lesse  griefe  endured  for  your  gentle  sake." 


1  Nollfyih,  proclaimed.  ^Afake,  mate. 

2  Teene,  sorrow. 

XXXIX.  9.  —  And  goodly  well  adrmmce,  &c.]     And  properly 
extol  the  qualities  that  have  been  so  well  tried.     II. 


1300K    III.       CANTO    XII.  417 

41  She  much  was  cheard  to  heare  him  mentiond, 
Whom  of  all  living  wightes  she  loved  best. 
Then  laid  the  noble  Charapionesse  strong  bond 
Upon  th'  Enchaunter  which  had  her  distrest 
So  sore,  and  with  foule  outrages  opprest: 

With  that  great  chaine,  wherewith  not  long  ygoe 
He  bound  that  pitteous  lady  prisoner  now  relest, 
Hniiselfe  she  bound,  more  worthy  to  be  so, 
And  captive  with  her  led  to  wretchednesse  and  wo. 

42  Returning  back,  those  goodly  rowmes,  which  erst 
She  saw  so  rich  and  royally  arayd, 

Now  vanisht  utterly  and  cleane  subverst 
She  found,  and  all  their  glory  quite  decayd. 
That  sight  of  such  a  chaunge  her  much  disraayd. 
Thenceforth  descending  to  that  perlous  porch, 
Those  dreadfull  flames  she  also  found  delayd  ^ 
And  quenched  quite,  like  a  consumed  torch, 
That  erst  all  entrers  wont  so  cruelly  to  scorch. 

43  More  easie  issew  now  then  entrance  late 

She  found;  for  now  that  fained-dreadfull  flame. 
Which  chokt  the  porch  of  that  enchaunted  gate 
And  passage  bard  to  all  that  thither  came. 
Was  vanisht  quite,  as  it  were  not  the  same. 
And  gave  her  leave  at  pleasure  forth  to  passe. 
Th'  Enchaunter  selfe,  which  all  that  fraud  did  frame 
To  have  efforst  the  love  of  that  faire  lasse, 
Seeing  his  worke  now  wasted,  deepe  engrieved  was. 

1  Delayd,  abated. 

XLI.  7.  —  Two  superfluous  syllables  have  crept  in  here,  prob- 
ably through  the  carelessness  of  the  printer." 
vol,.  II.  27 


418  THE    FAERIE    QUEENE. 

44  But  when  the  Victoresse  arrived  there 
"Where  late  she  left  the  pensife  Scudamore 
With  her  own  trusty  squire,  both  full  of  feare, 
Neither  of  them  she  found  where  she  them  lore ' : 
Thereat  her  noble  hart  was  stonisht  sore ; 

But  most  faire  Amoret,  whose  gentle  spright 

Now  gan  to  feede  on  hope,  which  she  before 

Conceived  had,  to  see  her  own  deare  knight. 

Being  thereof  beguyld,  was  fild  with  new  affright. 

45  But  he,  sad  man,  when  he  had  long  in  drede 
Awayted  there  for  Britomarts  returne. 

Yet  saw  her  not,  nor  signe  of  her  good  speed, 
His  expectation  to  despaire  did  turne, 
Misdeeming^  sure  that  her  those  flames  did  burne; 
And  therefore  gan  advize  with  her  old  squire, 
Who  her  deare  nourslings  losse  no  lesse  did  mourne. 
Thence  to  depart  for  further  aide  t'  enquire : 
Where  let  them  wend  at  will,  whilest  here  I  doe  re- 
spire.* 

1  Lore,  left.  2  Misdeeming,  judging  wrongly. 


*  111  the  first  edition  of  the  Faerie  Queene  the  five  last  stanzas 
of  this  canto  bring  the  story  of  Sir  Scudamore  to  a  happy  conclu- 
sion. In  the  place  of  them,  the  three  concluding  stanzas  as  given 
above  are  substituted  in  the  second  edition.  By  these  alterations 
tliis  tliird  book  not  only  connects  better  with  the  fourth,  but  the 
reader  is  kept  in  that  suspense  which  is  necessary  in  a  well-told 
stoiy.  (Upton.)  The  stanzas  which  are  omitted  iu  the  second 
edition,  and  printed  in  the  first,  are  the  folio  whig:  — 

43  At  last  she  came  unto  the  place,  where  late 
She  left  Sir  Scudainour  in  great  distress©, 


BOOK    III.       CANTO    XII.  4-19 

Twixt  dolour  and  despiglit  halfe  desperate, 
Of  his  loves  succour,  of  his  owne  redresse, 
And  of  the  hardie  Britomarts  successe : 
There  on  the  cold  earth  him  now  thrown  she  found, 
In  wilfull  anguish,  and  dead  heavinesse. 
And  to  hira  cald ;  whose  voices  knowen  sound 
Soone  as  he  heard,  himself  he  reared  light  from  ground. 

44  There  did  he  see,  that  most  on  earth  him  ioyd, 
His  dearest  love,  the  comfort  of  his  dayes, 
Whose  too  long  absence  him  had  sore  annoyd, 
And  wearied  his  life  with  dull  delayes : 
Straight  he  upstarted  from  the  loathed  layes,i 
And  to  her  ran  with  hasty  egernesse, 

Like  as  a  deare,  that  greedily  embayes  2 
In  the  coole  soile,3  after  long  thirstinesse. 
Which  he  in  chace  endured  hath,  now  nigh  breathlesse. 

45  Lightly  he  dipt*  her  twixt  his  armes  twaine, 
And  streightly  5  did  embrace  her  body  bright, 
Her  body,  late  the  prison  of  sad  paine. 

Now  the  sweet  lodge  of  love  and  deare  delight: 
But  the  fiiire  Lady,  overcomraen  quight 
Of  huge  affection,  did  in  pleasure  melt, 
And  in  sweete  ravishment  pourd  out  her  spright. 
No  word  they  spake,  nor  earthly  thing  they  felt. 
But  like  two  senceles  stocks  in  long  embracement  dwelt 

46  Had  ye  them  seene,  ye  would  have  surely  thought 
That  they  had  beene  that  faire  Hermaphrodite, 
Which  that  rich  Romane  of  white  marble  wrought, 
And  in  his  costly  bath  causd  to  bee  site  6; 

So  seemd  those  two,  as  gi-owne  together  quite, 
That  Britornart,  halfe  envying  their  blesse. 
Was  much  empassiond  in  her  gentle  sprite, 

1  Layts,  lease,  lea.  ^  ^lipt,  embraced. 

2  Embayes,  bathes.  5  Streightly,  closely. 

3  Soile,  water  in  which  a  deer  takes  refuge.  6  Site,  placed. 

XL  VI.  4.  —  Costly  bath.]    This  statue  was  found  in  the  baths  of  Diocle- 
tian. 


420  THE    FAEKIE    QUEENE. 

And  to  her  selfe  oft  wisht  like  happinesse: 
In  vaine  she  wisht,  that  fate  n'ould  i  let  her  yet  possesso. 

47  Thus  doe  those  lovers  with  sweet  couiitervayle,2 
Each  other  of  loves  bitter  fruit  despoile. 
But  now  my  teme  begins  to  faint  and  fayle, 
All  woxen  weary  of  their  iournall  3  toyle ; 
Therefore  I  will  their  sweatie  yokes  assoyle  * 
At  this  same  furrowes  end,  till  a  new  day : 
And  ye,  faire  Swayns,  after  your  long  turmoyle. 
Now  cease  your  worke,  and  at  your  pleasure  play ; 

Now  cease  your  worke ;  to-morrow  is  an  holy-day. 

1  N'ould,  would  not.  3  lownall,  duly. 

8  CountervayU,  exchange.  *  Assoyle,  loosen,  release 


APPENDIX. 


VARIATIONS  FROM  THE  FIRST  EDITION,  1590. 

Page    5,  St.    5,  v.  9,  straunge  (ed.  1609),  O.  straung. 
"      8,  St.  12,  V.  9,  as  (2d  ed.),  0.  in. 
"    11,  St.  21,  V.  5,  infernall  (2d  ed.),  0.  internall. 
"    12,  St.  24,  V.  7,  ought  (2d  ed.),  0.  nought. 
"    16,  St.  36,  V.  4,  yron  (ed.  1609),  0.  dying. 
"     18,  St.  40,  V.  7,  but  (2d  ed.),  0.  and. 
"    18,  St.  40,  V.  7,  golden  (2d  ed.),  0.  yron. 
"    22,  St.  52,  V.  6,  with  which,  0.  which  with. 
"    25,  St.  60,  V.  4,  intemperate  (2d  ed.),  O.  more  temperate. 
"    30,  St.    3,  V.  8,  come  hether,  hether  (ed.   1609),   0.  come 

hether,  come  hether. 
"    45,  St.  44,  V.  8,  no  more  (2d  ed.),  0.  not  thore. 
"    47,  St.  48,  V.  8,  Prince  Arthur  (ed.  1609),  0.  Sir  Guyon. 
"    53,  St.    6,  V.  9,  Arthegall,  0.  Arthogall. 
"    54,  St.    9,  V.  1,  weete,  0.  wote. 
"    57,  St.  15,  V.  3,  capitaine  (ed.  1609),  0.  captaine. 
»    59,  St.  21,  V.  1,  them  (2d  ed.),  0.  him. 
"    66,  St.  37,  V.  8,  yon  love,  0.  your  love. 
"    68,  St.  42,  V.  1,  cheare,  0.  cleare. 
"    70,  St.  48,  V.  3,  these  (2d  ed),  0.  this. 
"     75,  St.  60,  V.  2,  antiquitee,  0.  antiquitiee. 
"    81,  St.  15,  V.  1,  straunge  (ed.  1609),  0.  straung. 
"     85,  St.  24,  V.  8,  it  (2d  ed.),  0.  he. 

"    92,  St.  43,  V.  1,  Sisillus,  0.,  and  all  the  editions,  Sifillus. 
"  109,  St.    9,  V.  9,  they  that  bulwarke  sorely  rent  (2d  ed.),  0. 

they  against  that  bulwarke  lent. 
"  114,  St.  21,  V.  8,  there  — there,  0.  their  — their. 
"  118,  St.  32,  V.  5,  unrest  (2d  ed.),  0.  infest. 
"  125,  Arg.,  V.  1,  by  (2d  ed.),  0.  through. 
"  125,  Arg.,  V.  2,  passing  through  (2d  ed.),  0.  through  passing. 


422  APPENI>IX. 

Page  132,  st.  21,  v.  1,  heedfull  (2d  ed.),  0.  earnest. 

"    134,  St.  23,  V.  9,  inonoceroses,  0.  monoceros. 

"    141,  St.  43,  V.  7,  mightiest,  0.  migtest. 

"    143,  St.  47,  V.  6,  foresee,  0.  forsee. 

"    144,  St.  51,  V.  1,  thereto  (2d  ed.),  0.  therewith. 

"    146,  St.  64,  V.  7,  hyacine  (2d  fol.),  0.  hyacint. 

"    159,  St.    1,  V.  2,  that  (2d  ed.),  0.  the. 

"    164,  St.    7,  V.  6,  thee,  0.  the. 

"    177,  St.  41,  V.  8,  lightly  (ed.  1609),  0.  highly. 

"    180,  St.  47,  V.  7,  which  (2d  ed.),  0.  that. 

"    185,  St.  60,  V.  8,  wary  (ed.  1609),  0.  weary. 

"    198,  St.  25,  V.  6,  Arthegall,  0.  Arthogall. 

"  225,  St.  44.  V.  6,  ere  they  to  former  (ed.  1609),  0.  ere  they 
uiitci   ncir  former. 

"    228,  St.  60,  V.  9,  as  earst  (supplied  from  ed.  1609),  0.  omitted. 

"    235,  St.    5,  V.  8,  she  (2d  ed.),  0.  he. 

"    238,  St.  15,  V.  6,  speare  (ed.  1609),  0.  speares. 

"    243,  St.  27,  V.  6,  fleshly  (2d  ed.),  0.  fleshy. 

"    244,  St.  30,  V.  6,  swowne,  0.  swownd. 

"  247,  St.  39,  V.  9,  sith  we.no  more  shall  meet  (2d  ed.),  0.  till 
we  againe  may  meet. 

"  255,  St.  59,  V.  5,  dayes  dearest  children  (2d  ed.),  0.  the  chil- 
dren of  day. 

"    263,  St.  19,  V.  5,  no,  0.  now. 

"    267,  St.  30,  V.  7,  better  (2d  ed.),  0.  bitter. 

"    270,  St.  39,  V.  9,  his  (2d  ed.),  0.  their. 

"  270,  St.  40,  V.  4,  loves  sweet  teene  (2d  ed.),  O.  sweet  loves 
teene. 

"    275,  St.  53,  V.  9,  weare  (ed.  1609),  0.  were. 

"    279,  St.    5,  V.  3,  bare,  0.  bore. 

"    281,  St.  12,  V.  2,  aspect,  0.  aspects. 

"  286,  St.  25,  V.  5,  which  as  a  fountaine  (ed.  1609),  0.  from 
which  a  fountaine. 

"  286,  St.  26,  V.  4,  both  farre  and  nere  (supplied  from  2d  ed.), 
0.  omitted. 

"    287,  St.  29,  V.  5,  Gnidus  (2d  ed.),  0.  Gnidas. 

"    291,  St.  40,  V.  6,  saw,  0.  spyde. 

"    292,  St.  42,  V.  5,  heavy  (2d  ed.),  0.  heavenly. 

"    293,  St.  45,  V.  4,  supplied  from  ed.  1609,  0.  wanting. 

"    296,  St.  52,  V.  9,  launched,  0.  launch. 

"    297,  Arg.,  V.  4,  Gyaunts,  0.  Gynunt. 

"    297,  St.    1,  V.  8,  she  did  heare,  0.  he  did  heivre. 


APPENDIX. 


423 


Page  300,  st.    9,  v.  3,  to,  0.,  and  all  editions,  two. 
"    303,  St.  18,  V.  5,  might  be  by  the  witch,  0.  might  by  the 

witch. 
"    314,  St.  48,  V.  4,  and  many  hath  to  foule  confusion  brought 

(2ded.),  0.  till  him  Chylde  Thopas  to  confiisiou  brought. 
"    321,  St.    5,  V.  1,  advice  (2d  ed.),  0.  device. 
"    323,  St.    9,  V.  9,  whom  (ed.  1609),  0.  who. 
"    326,  St.  17,  V.  3,  brought  through,  0.  broght  throgh. 
"    329,  St.  25,  V.  6,  bond,  0.  hand. 
"    333,  St.  37,  V.  9,  bight  (2d  ed.),  0.  high. 
"    339,  St.    2,  V.  4,  attone,  0.  attonce. 
"    341,  St.    7,  V.  3,  misdonne,  0.  disdonne. 
"    348,  St.  27,  V.  5,  that  (ed.  1609),  0.  with. 
"    355,  St.  45,  V.  3,  neck  (ed.  1609),  0.  necks. 
"    362,  St.    8,  V.  9,  to  (2d  ed.),  0.  with. 
"    365,  St.  18,  V.  4,  then  (2d  ed.),  0.  so. 
"    370,  St.  31,  V.  3,  with  thy  (2d  ed.),  0.  that  with. 
"    370,  St.  31,  V.  7,  vertues  pay  (ed.  1609),  0.  vertuous  pray. 
"    373,  St.  40,  V.  1,  addresse,  0.  addrest. 
"    373,  St.  40,  V.  3,  wastefuU  (2d  ed.),  0.  faithfuU. 
"    381,  St.    2,  V.  3,  golden  (ed.  1609),  0.  golding. 
"    389,  St.  22,  V.  8,  as  th'  Earthes  children,  the  wnich  made 

(2d  ed.),  0.  as  the  Earthes  children  which  made. 
"    389,  St.  23,  V.  2,  inglorious,  beast-like  (2d  fol.),  0.  inglorious 

and  beastlike. 
"    391,  St.  27,  V.  7,  entred  (2d  ed.),  0.  decked. 
"    394,  St.  36,  V.  7,  thee,  0.  the. 
"    395,  St.  39,  V.  6,  each  (2d  ed.),  0.  his. 
"    395,  St.  39,  V.  8,  stag,  0.,  and  all  editions,  hag. 
"    398,  St.  47,  V.  9,  hevens  hight,  0.,  and  all  editions,  heven 

bright. 
"    404,  St.    7,  V.  8,  wood,  0.  word. 
"    405,  St.    9,  V.  3,  other,  0.  others. 
"    408,  St.  18,  V.  5,  drad,  0.  dread. 

"    409,  St.  18,  V.  8,  bony-laden,  0.,  and  all  editions,  hony-lady. 
"    410,  St.  21,  V.  8,  still  (2d  ed.),  0.  skill. 
"    412,  St.  27,  V.  3,  and  bore  all  away  (2d  ed.),  0.  nothing  did 

remayne. 
"    412,  St.  28,  V.  1,  there  (ed.  1609),  0.  their. 
"    414,  St.  33,  V.  3,  to  herselfe  (2d  ed.),  0.  to  the  next. 
"    414,  St.  34,  V.  4,  her  (ed.  1609),  0.  him. 
"    416,  St.  38,  V.  5,  bor'd  (2d  ed.),  0.  sor'd. 


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